NEWSLETTER
It’s been a while since Allen Robinson’s contract talks were front-and-center, and perhaps now we know why. By the sounds of things, extension talks between Robinson and the Bears have stalled.
Here’s how Robinson responded when asked about the status of extension talks that have been a storyline since the new league year began in March:
“After Week 2 or Week 3, I was putting that behind me. I’m just playing, that’s the most important thing right now. It’s about playing and playing well. Trying to help get this thing turned around. … At the end of the day, I’m putting all that behind me. That’ll be talked about or whatever comes from that, comes from that. That’s not of my concern right now. So whatever that road is, whenever we get there, we get there.”
For more from Robinson, you can check out his Tuesday Zoom conference embedded below:
It’s not surprising Robinson isn’t thinking about contract talks any more. Robinson has deflected attention about those talks at every turn, and has instead shifted conversation to team-oriented goals and topics of discussion. It’s honorable, noble, and modest, to be sure. But I imagine it must be frustrating for a player to perform well enough to earn a contract extension before the final year of his current deal expires, then not get it.
Robinson, 27, will start playing out the second half of the final season of a three-year deal he signed in 2018. He is playing to a 101-catch, 1,266-yard, 5-touchdown season. Those are top-tier numbers among pass-catchers and worthy of a boat-load of money, especially knowing what other deals were signed this year.
Things may seem like they’re heading toward a break-up. However, business could pick back up at a later time. And I suppose the Bears could ultimately decide to extend the Franchise or Transition Tag. But before diving down that rabbit hole, we’ll follow Robinson’s lead and stay in the moment. Robinson, and the rest of the Bears, have plenty of work to do on the field.
