This past week was a stressful one for Chicago Bears fans. Allen Robinson, the team’s best offensive weapon, made his displeasure with them known when he deleted all Bears-related mentions on his social media platforms. A move he later called an emotional response to the lack of progress between the two sides on a new contract extension. Something he feels he’s more than earned.
Most people would agree. For their part, the Bears aren’t blind to the issue. Both head coach Matt Nagy and GM Ryan Pace have made it clear they love Robinson and want him to remain a big part of the team’s future. It’s just that sometimes contract discussions have certain challenges and take time.
People have speculated about what it is that’s holding things up. As is often typical, it’s a disagreement on the final number. Dan Graziano of ESPN revealed what sort of new contract Robinson is looking for and what the Bears would prefer to pay him instead.
“Well, according to sources familiar with the situation, the Bears are looking at the recent Cooper Kupp extension with the Rams as their comparison, meaning they’re in the $15 million-to-$16 million-per-year range. Robinson is thinking more along the lines of Odell Beckham Jr. or Tyreek Hill, who are in the $18 million-per-year range.”
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Allen Robinson isn’t pushing for a trade…yet
This would explain the impasse. Kupp is considered a good player but not a “star” for the Los Angeles Rams whereas Beckham Jr. and Hill are viewed as the focal points of their respective passing games. Robinson believes he’s more in that category. Based on the numbers from last season? It’s understandable why he thinks that.
Graziano went on to reveal that an extension is the receiver’s preferred course of action, but the idea of a trade is definitely in the back of his mind.
“So, how does this turn out? Robinson’s preference, by all accounts, is to do an extension with the Bears and stay in Chicago. But if they don’t want to pay him what he believes he’s worth, sources say he has raised the idea of the Bears trading him to another team that will — or at least one where he might be able to put up more impressive numbers in advance of free agency.”
For their part, the Bears are faced with multiple challenges. The looming drop of the 2021 salary cap makes such an extension difficult. Then there’s the reality of having 29 other pending free agents on the roster they’ll have to juggle. So every penny matters at this point. Still, belief is the Bears should be able to work out a deal that doesn’t take away from their ability to do business moving forward.