The Chicago Bears stayed true to their typical reputation once again, remaining silent at the trade deadline. GM Ryan Pace hasn’t made a move of any sort this time of year since 2017. What makes it so frustrating this time around is that it was clearly evident the team is trending in the wrong direction. It is old, expensive, and in sore need of retooling. For that to happen, they need money and draft picks. Their last opportunity to acquire both came and went at the trade deadline. Perhaps the most puzzling missed opportunity of all was Allen Robinson.
Anybody that has followed the situation with the Bears wide receiver can see the writing on the wall at this point. His production sits at 271 yards and a touchdown through seven games. The worst start to any season in his NFL career. Combine that with the long and contentious contract standoff between him and the organization? It is a safe bet that the 27-year old is playing his final season in a Bears uniform. If that is the case, why wouldn’t they look to trade him before he becomes a free agent?
Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times provided a little clarity on that.
“It would be maddening if it wasn’t so predictable. Standing pat makes little sense. But the context of the season for Pace and coach Matt Nagy made the Bears’ inactivity wholly unsurprising…
…Robinson, who is playing on the franchise tag, was the most obvious trade candidate. But the Bears were hard-pressed to land more than a third-round pick — which they believe they’ll receive in the compensatory round if Robinson leaves via free agency in March.”
Based on the rumblings around the situation, it is now clear what happened. The Bears received lots of interest from other teams on Robinson. The problem was the same in every case though. The offers made were too low. All of the Day 3 pick variety. That wasn’t good enough in the eyes of GM Ryan Pace. Not when Robinson could end up signing a big deal next year in free agency. This would set the Bears up to secure a 3rd round compensatory pick in the 2023 draft.
In essence, Pace was willing to sacrifice what year he’d be getting the draft pick for Robinson provided it was a higher selection. The tricky part is what the Bears plan to do in free agency next year. If they end up spending too much money, they would cancel out any compensatory draft selections they might be in line to receive.
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The great irony of the Allen Robinson situation?
It’s that Pace likely may not be around to reap the rewards of this decision. The Bears are 3-5 and quickly fading in the NFC playoff picture. If the team finishes with a losing record, there is a strong belief that both he and head coach Matt Nagy will be fired after the end of the season. For all the credit the GM deserves for bringing Robinson in, he also can be viewed as the main catalyst for the receiver’s exit.
Will his potential replacement follow through on such a plan to preserve compensatory picks received for departing players? There is no way to know for sure. This is another reason so many people are frustrated. Trading Allen Robinson at the deadline might not have yielded maximum value, but it would’ve given them something for next year. Chicago only has five picks in the 2022 draft.
Sadly the challenge of building around Fields may take longer than hoped.
Not only because Robinson is leaving but also the lack of resources available in the immediate future. Another byproduct of Pace’s ultra-aggressive approach. Getting that 3rd round comp pick would be nice. Having to wait until 2023 is not. Another reason why this entire situation is tough to accept knowing it could’ve been avoided.
