NEWSLETTER
In recent years, Franchise Tags has been given to players as a means to extend windows for extension talks.
And according to one report, the Chicago Bears are preparing to go that route with star receiver Allen Robinson (emphasis mine):
“The sides could not get a long-term deal worked out as they negotiated into the season,” reports??Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports.??but sources said the Bears are prepared to tag him in an effort to continue that process.”
So while there might be an open line of communication (one in which the Bears haven’t reached out to just yet), perhaps there is a plan in place to keep Robinson in Chicago for 2021 (and preferably, beyond).
There is an obvious connection as to why the Bears would tag Robinson. He is coming off his second consecutive 1,000-yard season and is the team’s top offensive player. And let’s not forget his work in the community. Simply put, there are reasons fans and teammates love the guy. So to see La Canfora take it a step further beyond making a basic connection based on obviousness makes my ears perk up.
Shortly after the Bears’ playoff loss to the Saints, I was concerned that we’d seen the last of Robinson with the Bears. But if Chicago tags Robinson with the intent of extending him, then that might not be the case. Then again, the tag is just a small part of the equation. And it’s the easy part, too. The challenge is finding the middle ground in long-term contract negotiations. Clearly, that wasn’t as easy as once thought.
Nevertheless, La Canfora’s report provides the glimmer of optimism I needed when thinking about Robinson’s future with the Bears. The first day to hand a player the Franchise Tag is on February 23. We’ll be on high alert to see if Robinson gets his.
In case you missed it, we dove into Robinson, the different types of tags, and all sorts of options on the table. You should check that out when you get a chance:
What are the Bears options? Robinson???s? https://t.co/sP0GlRDCbq
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) February 13, 2021
