Allen Robinson Chose the Bears Over the Packers: “I Wanted to be in Chicago”

The latest victory in the long-standing rivalry between the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers wasn’t claimed on the field, but instead, in free agency.

In the latest installment of Mike Kaye’s series, “The Evolution of Allen Robinson,” over at First Coast News, Robinson discusses his decision to sign with the Bears as a free agent this offseason.

Obviously, a three-year offer worth $42 million is going to pique any player’s interest, but the Bears weren’t the only team in the hunt. The New York Jets and Cleveland Browns also showed some early interest, but apparently, it eventually came down to just Chicago and Green Bay – just how George Halas and Vince Lombardi would’ve drawn it up.

[robinson]

In the end, Robinson chose the Bears over the Packers, giving the Bears their most notable victory against their arch rivals in quite some time. “With all things being equal, Chicago was a place I had my eyes on from a football standpoint,” Robinson told First Coast News.

Robinson added he is comfortable with the Bears’ situation, adding: “I wanted to be in Chicago.”

Let’s not overlook the importance of Robinson’s decision. The Packers have been awfully aggressive in free agency this winter/spring, adding tight end Jimmy Graham and defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson. They also signed Kyle Fuller to an offer sheet, and have shown interest in cornerback Trumaine Johnson, among others who eventually signed elsewhere.

Beating out the Packers for a top-tier free agency is a good get for the Bears. Losing Robinson to Green Bay would have been a bitter pill to swallow after clearing the necessary cap space to make a run at such a talented receiver.

So while the win didn’t come on the field where it matters most, you’ll take one when you can get it.

written by

Luis C. Medina, who you can find on Twitter at lcm1986, has been covering the Chicago Bears at Bleacher Nation since 2017. Since then, he has written about 3 head coaches, 5 play-callers, and 11 starting quarterbacks. Previously, Luis wrote about the Cubs and MLB at BN (2015-16) and worked in the Chicago Tribune sports department (2011-16). He also co-hosted a Cubs postgame show, Outside the Ivy, in 2019.

more bears news

Green Bay Packers Injury Report: Mostly Good (Which Is Mostly Bad for the Bears)

The Green Bay Packers added two offensive linemen, Rasheed Walker and Jordan Morgan, to their injury report on Thursday due to potential recurrences of previous injuries. Walker, the starting left tackle, was limited with a recurring knee issue, while Morgan,...

Bears Offense vs Packers Defense: How Do They Stack Up?

The Chicago Bears are home this weekend, taking on the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field in Week 11. How does their offense stack up against the Packers' defense? Let's discuss. Chicago Bears Offense QB: Caleb Williams RB: D'Andre Swift...

Around the NFL: Deion Sanders Says He’ll Intervene in NFL Draft Process, Rodgers Playing in 2025? More

Shedur Sanders will likely be a first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, but his father will play a part in where he lands—that and more in today's NFL Notes. Deion Sanders Says He'll Intervene If the Wrong Team Drafts...

Oof: Jaquan Brisker Goes on IR

The hits keep coming for a Chicago Bears team that is being met with unsavory news at seemingly every turn this week. Shortly after the team released its Thursday update of the Week 11 injury report, The Athletic's Kevin Fishbain...

Two Bears Players Get Upgrades on Thursday’s Injury Report

Thursday's Chicago Bears injury report comes with some good news, but not enough to get me throwing a party. As expected, Bears defensive end Montez Sweat practiced on Thursday. We discussed Sweat's return to the practice field earlier today in...

Thursday Night Football: Eagles vs. Commanders – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread, More

Week 11 kicks off tonight on Thursday Night Football with a battle between the Eagles and the Commanders at Lincoln Financial Field. How to Watch Thursday Night Football: Eagles vs. Commanders TV: NONE Streaming: Prime Video Radio: Westwood One Kickoff...

Thomas Brown is Working to Set a New Standard for the Bears Offense Ahead of Packers Matchup

The Chicago Bears will take on the Green Bay Packers this week. It's Caleb Williams' first matchup with Chicago's arch-rivals, and he'll be doing so under a new offensive coordinator, Thomas Brown, after Shane Waldron was fired on Tuesday. Among...

Josh Jacobs and the Packers Rushing Attack Presents Tough Challenge For Bears

With all the noise and distractions off the field coming out of Halas Hall this week, it's slightly being overlooked that a very good Green Bay Packers team is coming into town. That's not to say that's been lost on...

Montez Sweat Will Practice Today, But…

The Chicago Bears were without Montez Sweat during Wednesday's practice, but Defensive Coordinator Eric Washington says (h/t Brad Biggs) the team's top defensive end will return to action on Thursday. https://twitter.com/BradBiggs/status/1857120796440686899 Let's keep an eye on Montez Sweat's participation update...

Xavier McKinney Adds Spice to Bears-Packers Week By Calling Out DJ Moore

The flare that usually comes with Packers Week has been missing, mostly due to the fact that the Chicago Bears have been in chaos mode since losing Sunday's game to the New England Patriots. Since the loss, the Bears have...

Latest News

How to Watch the Week 11 Eagles vs. Commanders Game on TV or Streaming Live

The Philadelphia Eagles (7-2) hit the road to take on the Washington Commanders (7-3) at Lincoln Financial Field on Thursday, November 14, 2024.Ready to watch the game? Sign up for a Fubo free trial to watch the NFL, live sports...

I Love Hearing Tom Thibodeau Gush About Derrick Rose

Derrick Rose is coming home on January 4, 2025. Shortly after the Chicago Bulls legend announced his retirement earlier this year, the organization chose a date to celebrate. While it's unclear exactly what the Bulls have planned for Rose and...

Oof: Jaquan Brisker Goes on IR

The hits keep coming for a Chicago Bears team that is being met with unsavory news at seemingly every turn this week. Shortly after the team released its Thursday update of the Week 11 injury report, The Athletic's Kevin Fishbain...

Hey, Maybe Roki Sasaki Will Actually Consider Teams Other Than the Dodgers?

I won't belabor my feelings on the extent to which Roki Sasaki to the Dodgers is probably already a done deal - you can read more on that stuff here and here - but will instead focus on at least...

Two Bears Players Get Upgrades on Thursday’s Injury Report

Thursday's Chicago Bears injury report comes with some good news, but not enough to get me throwing a party. As expected, Bears defensive end Montez Sweat practiced on Thursday. We discussed Sweat's return to the practice field earlier today in...

Around the NFL: Deion Sanders Says He’ll Intervene in NFL Draft Process, Rodgers Playing in 2025? More

Shedur Sanders will likely be a first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, but his father will play a part in where he lands—that and more in today's NFL Notes. Deion Sanders Says He'll Intervene If the Wrong Team Drafts...

Bears Offense vs Packers Defense: How Do They Stack Up?

The Chicago Bears are home this weekend, taking on the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field in Week 11. How does their offense stack up against the Packers' defense? Let's discuss. Chicago Bears Offense QB: Caleb Williams RB: D'Andre Swift...

Thursday Night Football: Eagles vs. Commanders – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread, More

Week 11 kicks off tonight on Thursday Night Football with a battle between the Eagles and the Commanders at Lincoln Financial Field. How to Watch Thursday Night Football: Eagles vs. Commanders TV: NONE Streaming: Prime Video Radio: Westwood One Kickoff...

Green Bay Packers Injury Report: Mostly Good (Which Is Mostly Bad for the Bears)

The Green Bay Packers added two offensive linemen, Rasheed Walker and Jordan Morgan, to their injury report on Thursday due to potential recurrences of previous injuries. Walker, the starting left tackle, was limited with a recurring knee issue, while Morgan,...

The Rays Have a Temporary Stadium Solution for Next Season

A little over a month ago, Tropicana Field, home of the Tampa Bay Rays, was destroyed by Hurricane Milton. And while we did learn yesterday that the field can be fixed (... for the small price of $55 million), it...

Josh Jacobs and the Packers Rushing Attack Presents Tough Challenge For Bears

With all the noise and distractions off the field coming out of Halas Hall this week, it's slightly being overlooked that a very good Green Bay Packers team is coming into town. That's not to say that's been lost on...

more bears news