Allen Robinson considers himself a team player. He keeps his mouth shut and just plays the best football he can. For the most part, this is 100% true. The guy has been a model citizen off the field and consistently the best player on the Chicago Bears offense for three years. At the same time, Robinson has demonstrated a different side to him. One of ruthless business savvy and also a small degree of selfishness.
For months now he’s made it seems pretty obvious that the ones to blame for him not receiving a contract extension falls squarely at the feet of Bears management. They don’t value him as a talent enough and aren’t willing to offer him a “market value” price. Of course, he does all this with the full knowledge that GM Ryan Pace isn’t going to come out and defend himself with any sort of numbers. The Bears don’t operate that way.
So just like that Robinson seizes the moral high ground. He’s the victim in all this.
This isn’t a criticism. It’s how the game is played. Robinson wants to get the most money he possibly can and is exercising every single piece of leverage he can find. He has the media on his side and plenty of Bears fans too. Now he went for the kill with a major assist from friend and columnist Tyler Dunne who championed the receiver’s plight. In essence, Robinson made it as clear as possible he’s ready to move on from Chicago.
“I do have a lot of love for the city of Chicago,” Robinson begins. “I think that gets skewed in the talks — my feelings for Chicago. For me, it’s really about evaluating what’s best for my career. For myself, I’m always a team guy and always have been a team guy. Once you get to these points in your career where you’ve played out your contract and you’re becoming a free agent, you have to sit back and think about what’s best for you not only on the field but for your family.
“For myself, as a person and a player, I think the city of Chicago has an outstanding fan base. The best fan base I’ve played for in the NFL. I am thoughtful of that through the process because — for myself — I never want to feel like I don’t enjoy the city of Chicago. They’ve embraced my foundation in the community. I built a ton of relationships. But, unfortunately, those aren’t the things that weigh the most in a situation like this.”
Dunne broke down the three things Robinson is chasing. A fair market value contract is first. In other words, he feels he should be paid like a top receiver in the NFL. That’s between $20-25 million. Then it’s winning the Super Bowl and finally making the Hall of Fame. This article makes it pretty obvious he doesn’t think the Bears can help him reach his goals.
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Allen Robinson is a really good player. And that’s it
The reality is no matter how much he tries to make it seem like he’s ready to leave, Robinson doesn’t control his destiny. The Bears do. They still have the franchise tag in their back pocket and all signs continue to indicate they’re fully prepared to use it. Pace said months ago one of the problems holding up contract negotiations was uncertainty around the 2021 salary cap.
Chicago is already projected to be over the cap so they need to know exactly what they’ll have to work with before they decide to throw a ton of money at Allen Robinson. Especially with no definitive quarterback on the roster. Recent reports say the floor was raised to $180 million from $175 million, but there is still no set number. Thus the wait continues.
Should the Bears do whatever it takes to keep him?
Many people will say yes. Robinson is a star and the only good thing about that offense. In reality? Wide receivers are a dime a dozen. Don’t believe it? Deshaun Watson just set career bests in passing yards and touchdowns after DeAndre Hopkins was traded to Arizona. Derek Carr had two of his most efficient seasons after Amari Cooper was traded to Dallas. Baker Mayfield actually played much better after Odell Beckham Jr. went down with an injury.
The point being? Chicago is right to focus their efforts on finding a quarterback rather than prioritize keeping Robinson. Wide receivers can be replaced. Even the really good ones like him.
