The Chicago Bears officially made their most unsurprising move of the offseason on Tuesday: They placed the franchise tag on WR Allen Robinson. Unable to come to terms on a long-term deal to this point, the Bears bought themselves more time to negotiate exclusively with Robinson.
There it is. https://t.co/3Dwrze2Nps
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) March 9, 2021
The Bears have several other moves to make this offseason to get under the salary cap, find a QB, and field a competitive enough team to save Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy’s jobs after the 2021 season. The real fun starts next week, with the start of the new league year.
With that, let’s reach into this week’s Bears Mailbag. Follow me on Twitter @DhruvKoul to continue the conversation.
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Bears Mailbag
I think he would skip voluntary workouts, but I think he would eventually sign the tag. The Bears control his rights, whether he likes it or not. He has a shorter shelf-life than QBs, so he has to make the best use of his prime while he can.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) March 9, 2021
If the Bears trade up for a QB, it'll be for a Day 1 starter. Someone like Smith would allow them to either wait for someone like Mac Jones or take a swing on someone like Feleipe Franks in the later rounds.
For Robinson, I think a tag-and-trade is most likely.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) March 10, 2021
My best guess is Seattle will want to hold him until closer to the draft to see if Wilson includes other teams on his wish list.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) March 9, 2021
The Bears won't be interested in a post-June 1 trade. They want him in the building ASAP so he can learn the offense. So this year's first round pick is a necessity to be included in the trade.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) March 10, 2021
No, Kyle Long will not be back with the Bears while this regime is still around.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) March 10, 2021
I think a tag-and-trade with Robinson is likely. But it wouldn't sweeten the pot for a trade for a QB much — instead, it'd be to invest around the next QB at a cheaper price.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) March 10, 2021
Cut candidates: Graham.
Likely restructures/extensions: Mack, Whitehair, Fuller, Hicks, Jackson.
Possible trade candidates: Mack, Fuller, Hicks.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) March 9, 2021
Mariota
Wilson
Fitzpatrick + draft pick
Foles + draft pick
Smith + draft pick
Watson— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) March 9, 2021
Bears actually do have leverage. Robinson is stuck with the Bears, unless they decide to trade him. I can't imagine he would give up a year of his prime to make a point.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) March 9, 2021
The Bears' best chances of a long-term deal with A-Rob come with a good QB in play.
I'd keep an eye on Mariota — who would be an excellent pickup for the Bears. But I have a feeling the Bears will be stuck with some other veteran + a draft pick.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) March 11, 2021
The Bears could find a RT in free agency. I expect a lot of interesting names to be released over the coming days.
Some other positions to watch: CB, LB, DE, S.
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) March 11, 2021
