Everything has pointed in this direction for months now. It first started when the Chicago Bears apparently cut off extension talks with Allen Robinson as far back as September of 2020. Nothing seemed to change after that. The wide receiver grew so frustrated that he even considered asking for a trade. Once that crisis passed, the two sides seemed to settle down into their positions and haven’t budged since.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, that isn’t going to change before the July 15th deadline. Expectations are Robinson will play the 2021 season on his franchise tag deal of $17.98 million. This is a clear calculated risk by the 27-year old that he can put together another strong year and likely peak his value going into 2022 free agency. Details of how far apart the two sides are remain unclear.
As the franchise tag deadline nears, the #Bears and star WR Allen Robinson are not expected to reach a long-term extension, sources say. It appears that Robinson will play on his $17.88M tag for 2021.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 13, 2021
This development sets the tone for next offseason.
With Darnell Mooney looking like the only notable receiver who could be under contract in 2022, it is obvious where the Bears’ priorities will be in free agency and that draft. That is unless they pull off an unexpected move to keep Robinson in the fold. A long-term deal seems out of the question at this point. However, they could franchise tag him a second time. Such a move would cost just shy of $21.6 million for next season.
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While expensive, that would still be good enough for just the third highest-paid receiver in the league. Probably less if some other deals get worked out before next year. The Bears could use this method to buy themselves more time. Justin Fields would have Robinson for his first full season starting and the team could maintain their focus on other positions. Then in 2023, they’d be back in the 1st round of the draft.
Allen Robinson situation is frustratingly simple
It would be easier to understand if the wide receiver had problems with the quarterbacks or hated the head coach or had some sort of beef with the front office. Sadly this case comes down to one thing and one thing only. Money. Robinson feels he is worth a certain price point. Whatever that may be. Ryan Pace doesn’t agree. The GM clearly has a number in his head he isn’t willing to go beyond and Robinson refuses to come down far enough to make something work.
As stated in articles before, this follows a track record Pace set years ago. He isn’t afraid to let productive wide receivers go, believing he can replace them with enough time. Brandon Marshall was traded in 2015. The Bears had Alshon Jeffery that year and he played well despite missing seven games. Then in 2017, Pace let Jeffery walk too. A year later he signed Robinson.
It seems this regime believes productive receivers are plentiful.
Plenty of people won’t agree. Allen Robinson isn’t like most receivers. He’s a tremendous leader on and off the field. A model citizen and damn good at his job. He should be rewarded. Yet the cold fact remains this is a business. Pace and the Bears aren’t going to sacrifice their team-building approach because of fan sentiment. If Robinson wants to get max money? Some other team can pay him.
