The Roy Robertson-Harris story has been fun to follow.
A stand-up outside linebacker by trade, the Bears took time to mold the Texas El-Paso product into a 3-4 defensive lineman. And the developmental project paid off with Robertson-Harris growing into a solid rotational defensive lineman.
From 2017-19, Robertson-Harris collected 7.5 sacks, 25 quarterback hits, and 8 tackles-for-loss in spot play in 44 games over three years. And now, those splash plays as a rotational defender is paying off in a big second contract.
Robertson-Harris is Jacksonville bound:
Urban Meyer and the #Jaguars are on the board. They've agreed with former #Bears DT Roy Robertson-Harris on a three-year, $24.4 million deal, source said. He gets $14m in guarantees. The deal for the former undrafted free agent was done by @sportstarsnyc.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 15, 2021
NFL Network insider Mike Garafolo reports the Jaguars are signing Robertson-Harris to a three-year deal worth $24.4 million. It includes $14 million in guarantees for the soon-to-be ex-Bears lineman. That’s a whopper of a deal for a player who came into the league as an undrafted free agent. To which I say, good for him.
These are the types of things fans should be rooting for โ players who overcome long odds, develop, and then cash out in free agency. When stories like this develop, it is a testament to the player, as well as the team’s coaches, scouts, and front office types.
It’s a team effort when something like this comes around. And that this figures to help the Bears in the compensatory draft formula for 2022 only sweetens the pot. Nick Korte pegs the signing as a solid 5th rounder in the comp formula, so that’s nice.
The Bears will miss Robertson-Harris’ efforts, but now this puts them on the lookout for the next one.