NEWSLETTER
After signing quarterback Blake Bortles to an extension that allowed the team to clear up some cap space, the Jacksonville Jaguars’ top priority should be signing wide receiver Allen Robinson to a long-term deal of his own.
Instead, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports hears that it’s more likely that the Jaguars would keep Marqise Lee and add some less-pricey receiver options instead of backing up the cash truck to keep Robinson. As we mentioned in the paragraph above, the Bortles extension was expected to help Jacksonville create some wiggle room to come to a multi-year deal with Robinson. And yet, Robinson recently said the two sides hadn’t even engaged in contract talks.
Of course, the Jaguars could extend the franchise tag and keep Robinson on a one-year deal worth about $16.2 million. But it would make sense if the Jaguars decided to pursue some cost-efficient receiver options considering their salary cap situation and needs elsewhere on the roster.
Jacksonville has $29.8 million in cap space, according to OverTheCap.com. That seems like a sizable amount, at least enough to fit in Robinson and some other pieces. However, it’s possible that the front office would rather spread their cap space to bolster several other areas of need such as offensive line and linebacker.
If La Canfora is right and the Jaguars dive into the discount receiver bin and decide not to place the franchise tag on Robinson, then we could expect the Chicago Bears to jump in with a competitive offer. Robinson missed all but three plays in 2017 because of an ACL injury, but recently said his knee was no longer an issue.
