It’s Probably Time to Start Discussing an Allen Robinson Extension … and Other Bears Bullets

One of the best things about having Thanksgiving on a Wednesday is waking up on Thursday knowing you don’t have to cook and that all the leftovers you could ever want are ready for consumption.

  • As the NFL regular season reaches its final stages, late-season extensions will be all the rage because teams tend to like getting their ducks in a row well before the league’s next calendar year begins. And while I can understand why some Bears fans would be hesitant to hand out big paper to anyone on this underachieving team, I think an exception can be made for Allen Robinson. At minimum, the Bears should start exploring it:
  • Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune opines that the Bears should make a possible Robinson extension a priority, if not now, then during the offseason. Once this season comes to a close, Robinson will have just one year left on his deal. And frankly, there isn’t anyone who deserves it more than Robinson. Through 11 games, Robinson has 63 catches for 764 yards, and has four touchdown receptions. He is on pace for a 92-catch, 1,111-yard, 6-touchdown season. Those scoring numbers would be up with a more consistent offense and better quarterback play, and yet, not a peep from Robinson about the struggles of either. That is the type of team leader the Bears should be looking to lock into a long-term deal sooner, rather than later.
  • Moving onto today’s matters … the Bears play football today. Hooray!
  • The Lions provide the opposition on this Thanksgiving morning, but they will do so without their starting quarterback or his backup. Ladies and gentlemen, meet David Blough:
  • Matthew Stafford remains out, so he was never really in consideration. But backup Jeff Driskel would have started the game had it not been for a hamstring injury that is limiting him as we enter Week 13. That leaves David Blough, who was acquired from the Browns in the preseason with a conditional 7th round pick in a future draft in exchange for another conditional pick to be given out at a later time. Blough doesn’t have any NFL experience, but played his college ball at Purdue. So at minimum, he has collegiate experience just slinging it around and hoping for the best. And since he is getting a start on short notice, the vibe is that is what he will be doing on Thursday — especially without s healthy Kerryon Johnson in the backfield.
  • A look at the Lions’ inactive players is tough to stomach:
  • In addition to not having Stafford, Detroit is without Rashaad Melvin (a starting cornerback), Jamal Agnew (first-string return specialist), and Damon “Snacks” Harrison (the team’s top run-stuffing interior defensive lineman). Without Harrison the Bears should be putting a real effort to establish a running game.
  • As for the Bears’ inactives:
  • On top of all the players who were listed as OUT on Wednesday’s injury report, defensive lineman Abdullah Anderson is also out of action for the Thanksgiving throw down.
  • Notable names who are NOT on the inactive list for Thursday: WR Riley Ridley, OL Alex Bars. Let’s keep an eye on them as today’s action develops and unfolds.
  • Ridley is the guy Bears fans seem to be rallying around right now in hopes that he gets a shot to do his thing, but Anthony Miller is the next man up on the depth chart with Taylor Gabriel out of action. Here’s why:
  • Miller hasn’t had too many chances to create chunk plays, but radio analyst Tom Thayer breaks down what he was doing well last week. So long as Miller stays sharp on his routes, he could be in store for a huge game.
  • There is nowhere to go but up when it comes to these numbers:
  • Can we get a mic on Prince Amukamara every week?
  • You love to see it:
  • Barry Sanders is the best running back in the building on Thursday, no questions asked. Just make sure he doesn’t get to suit up for Detroit today:
  • 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.

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