Allen Robinson is one of the newest members of the Chicago Bears, but already has a grasp on a leadership role early in his first season.
And because Mitch Trubisky is off to a slow start in his first full season as the Bears’ starting quarterback, Robinson’s wisdom, leadership, and guidance is desperately needed.
“I wouldn’t say patience, because we’re all in this thing together,” Robinson said, via the Chicago Tribune’s Colleen Kane. “We want it to work. We understand as an offense we’re not perfect. Nobody is. At the same time, we have to make sure we’re on our Ps and Qs to help him out and make his job easier. We’re all in this thing together.”
Trubisky has completed more than 69 percent of his passes this season. And while that is a nice development, his passer rating through three games this season (77.8) is lower than it was after his first three starts in 2017 (79.2).
Chicago is lucky Robinson isn’t one of those stereotypical receivers who raises a fuss when he isn’t getting the ball enough or his quarterback is struggling. Robinson is showing some true leadership by expressing a need to be patient with Trubisky as he deals with his issues.
The Bears are fortunate that this isn’t Robinson’s first rodeo with a developing quarterback. Robinson had to deal with a developing Blake Bortles in Jacksonville when he struggled to find the handle on things in his first few seasons in the pros. And dating back to his college years, Robinson was the receiver Penn State freshman Christian Hackenberg leaned on when he needed to make a play downfield. In short, this is old hat for Robinson, who is still on pace for a 149-target, 91-catch, and 1,035-yard season. Now, imagine what those numbers could look like once Trubisky gets his act together.
Football is a game that is widely regarded for teaching toughness, togetherness, discipline, and leadership. And as it stands, the Bears need all of those things as Trubisky continues to develop.