Everything changed on that fateful evening of April 28th, 2017. When GM Ryan Pace made Mitch Trubisky the #2 overall pick of the draft, the priorities for the entire franchise shifted. No longer is Chicago a team trying to build a classic roster with defense and power running. Now every possible resource must be directed towards making the young quarterback a success. That includes planning ahead to Bears 2018 free agency.
For those rolling their eyes and saying it’s too early to think about that, understand that this is how the business goes. At least for good teams. The best GMs are often thinking two, three or even four years ahead. Rest assured that Pace is already making plans for next year. Ones that involve making his prized, young quarterback the player he should be.
Topping that agenda? There is no arguing that it must be finding a credible wide receiver. To be fair there’s a chance Chicago already has one. Cameron Meredith or Kevin White may yet take that next step to the upper tier. As things stand now though? Nobody on the depth chart can be called a “keeper.” Just a lot of maybes.
That cannot stand.
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Bears 2018 free agency should focus on Allen Robinson
Before going further it must be stated that there’s a strong chance most of the big name next year could be franchise tagged. Allen Robinson is no different. He’s a potential superstar for the Jacksonville Jaguars who went to the Pro Bowl in 2015 after notching over 1,400 yards and 14 touchdowns. At just 23-years old he’s got plenty of potential great years ahead of him. He knows that and could be looking for a big pay day next year.
This past year was a downturn for him though and there is reason to think the team might shrink from using the tag on him.
For one they will be in a bit of a salary cap bind. Accord to overthecap.com, Jacksonville is projected to have just over $9 million in space. Complicating matters further is the fact they’ll have other key free agents to worry about. Among those include Telvin Smith, Brandon Linder, Paul Posluszny and Josh Johnson among others.
So there is a possibility that Robinson could test the open market. This would be great news for the Bears. They have a huge need at the position as stated above. They’ll also, once again, have money to spend. Current estimates say they’ll have over $50 million with the ability to create loads more. For example, cutting Mike Glennon and Lamarr Houston alone would free up $19.5 million. So money isn’t an issue.
Perfect timing to hit hard
People were upset at Pace this past free agent period. They felt he didn’t push strong enough to sign big names on the market, instead opting for a large collection of second tier types like Prince Amukamara and Jaye Howard. In hindsight one might understand his thinking. The Bears are still a rebuilding team. One or two big free agents weren’t likely to change that. At least not until he was able to get the quarterback he wanted.
Allen Robinson says he has "earned" a contract extension with the Jags. https://t.co/KLZinbPfdP pic.twitter.com/ngcjEOdKVl
— SNF on NBC (@SNFonNBC) April 16, 2017
Now he has one. That means 2018 would be the perfect time to take the padlock off the wallet. Grab somebody like Robinson for the offense and then two quality defensive talents in the draft? That could set the Bears up in a big way for both the short and long-term. Granted none of this helps matters in 2017, but long-term strategic thinking is never a bad thing.
Robinson is 6’3″ and still very young. He’s the perfect sort of experienced target that can grow with Trubisky over the seasons to come. Combined with Jordan Howard and perhaps tight end Adam Shaheen? That would look like a pretty lethal offense.
