The future of Allen Robinson with the Chicago Bears is murky at best. Especially given the two sides haven’t discussed a contract extension since last September.
Robinson has been Chicago’s best offensive player since his arrival in 2018, and his back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons — with one of the NFL’s worst offenses — speaks for itself. And yet, general manager Ryan Pace — who is known for rewarding players that have earned another contract — hasn’t made it a priority to re-sign him.
At this point, the expectation is that the Bears will slap the franchise tag on Robinson, which could give Pace a little more time to lock him down long-term. But if Pace hasn’t signed him to an extension yet, it’s hard to believe he’ll get it done.
NFL reporter Jeff Darlington doesn’t see how Robinson will play under the franchise tag, which would surely leave the Bears in a precarious situation.
“Allen Robinson with the Bears, is the one, to me, that has the most intrigue in terms of the potential for fireworks,” Darlington said on ESPN’s “KJZ” show. “Robinson has been the good soldier. Last year was very frustrated he didn’t get his contract done, but ultimately had another successful season. If they tag him, I just don’t see him playing under the tag.
“I think this gets messy, and GM Ryan Pace has given no sense that he wants to give him the money that seemingly Robinson will deserve on the open market. So that one is the one that has the most potential for, I guess, drama and intrigue. Because I just can’t see Robinson playing under the tag this year.”
When speaking to Tyler Dunne, Robinson made it clear that asking for a trade wasn’t off the table, which wouldn’t be unlike other players in the league that have done the same in unfavorable situations.
The Bears have until March 9 to use the franchise tag on Robinson before he becomes a free agent at the start of the new league year on March 17.
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