NEWSLETTER
Before Khalil Mack arrived in Chicago, the debut Bears fans were most looking forward to was that of wide receiver Allen Robinson. And you know what? He didn’t disappoint, especially once you look beyond the stat line.
Robinson may have caught just four passes for 61 yards on Sunday (not a huge tally)*, but those numbers are less important than the obvious trust he’s earned from quarterback Mitch Trubisky. Take this 33-yard snag in the first quarter, for example, the one that put the Bears in business on their second drive of the game/season:
https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1038953121454538753
Trubisky starts with his progressions from left to right, buying time for Robinson to make his way down field. As Trubisky continues to scan, Robinson makes a move to get outside the defensive back and into a position for Trubisky to *possibly* get him the ball (if he was feeling a little froggy, that is). And while it doesn’t look like Robinson is open at first glance, Trubisky makes the throw anyway, showing confidence that his receiver will come up with the ball.
And while Trubisky gets credit for making a tough throw, Robinson’s elite ability to high-point attempted passes in coverage cannot go unnoticed. Not only is this what good quarterback-wide receiver chemistry and trust looks like, it also bodes well for the future that Trubisky and Robinson can connect like this despite a lack of preseason game reps together. But this wasn’t our only example.
The second Trubisky-Robinson big play connection came later that drive with the Bears still marching down the field. On 3rd-and-4 near the Packers’ 30, these two came together to make the sort of play that sticks out later in the week:
14-yard reception by Allen Robinson on the dig route. pic.twitter.com/vSR8wEtOHP
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) September 10, 2018
There isn’t much of a window for Trubisky to throw here, but Robinson creates one tiny opening with sharp route-running and positioning. His dependable hands simply sealed the deal. This was one of Trubisky’s more challenging throws, as there are three defenders in the vicinity who could make a play on the ball. But here’s the thing … Trubisky’s throw doesn’t even allow for that opportunity. It’s an anticipatory throw from Trubisky where he throws Robinson open by putting the ball where only he can make a play on it. That’s an advanced throw we didn’t get a chance to see much of from Trubisky during his rookie season. It’s one he’ll need to make more of, as his development continues.
To be clear, a lot of things have to go right for both of these highlights to come to fruition. But at the very top of the list, Trubisky needs to have the confidence and ability to make the throws and faith in his receiver to haul them in. And of course, contributions from Robinson aren’t just going to help the Bears move the chains and put points on the board, they should also help Trubisky build confidence as a quarterback, as he goes through his first season in Matt Nagy’s offense.
*Although Robinson’s stat line doesn’t look huge on the surgace, it’s important to remember some context. Like the big one (I’m sorry to remind you, but…): the Bears were leading most of that game, so throwing down field wasn’t exactly a priority. There’s also the fact that Robinson is coming off a massive ACL injury, and Trubisky didn’t quite look like he had his footing to throw down field often. Combine all of that and the aforementioned non-stat-line victories (confidence and trust building between the Bears young QB and his No. 1 receiver) and Sunday was a success for Robinson.
