NEWSLETTER
Between history and my own personal experience with procrastination, I’m a firm believer that deadlines make deals happen. So when it comes to the Bears and Allen Robinson II, it’s worth noting that – now that we’ve turned the calendar to July – the two sides have until July 15 to come together on a multi-year extension.
If you’re keeping count at home, that’s 14 days. And if nothing happens, then Robinson will play on the one-year Franchise Tag tender. It’s a cool $18 million for Robinson if no deal is done, which isn’t a shabby consolation prize. However, a player of Robinson’s importance deserves long-term security. That shouldn’t be up for debate, even if you want to quibble about contract years and dollar amounts.
When’d asked if it can happen while on NFL Network’s NFL Total Access program, Robinson answered: “We’ll see. The biggest thing is about going out this year, having fun, making plays, and trying to help this team get back into the playoffs.”
Ahhhh! Allen Robinson always with his eyes on the prize. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that every conversation about his contract situation is quickly flipped into focusing on being better to help the team. As Deion Sanders once eloquently put it: “Play good, get paid good.”
Whether Robinson signs a new deal or not, he’ll be in the fold for 2021. In other words, whenever Justin Fields takes over, Robinson will make things easier for the rookie. In the meantime, Andy Dalton will lean on the veteran leader. That should be reassuring for the QB1-of-the-future and the one holding it down for now. Because it’s certainly reassuring to me as a Bears fan. And I don’t imagine I’m alone in feeling that sentiment.
In the end, the most important thing is that Robinson suits up for the Bears in 2021. I breathed a sigh of relief in June when Robinson reported for mandatory minicamp, deciding not to use the Franchise Tag as a reason to sit things out and make a point. And now, I’ll do it again.
No matter the contract situation, @AllenRobinson is ready to ball out this season for the @ChicagoBears 😤 pic.twitter.com/QgDDlnFTQ1
— NFL Total Access (@NFLTotalAccess) June 30, 2021
