The
Chicago Bears have received plenty of criticism from fans and the media over the past several months in their handling of
Allen Robinson. They just don't understand why GM Ryan Pace hasn't gotten a contract extension done. It seems so obvious. Robinson is the best player on the Bears offense by a wide margin. He's done enough to earn a new deal and then some. What is so complicated about this?
It comes down to a question of
value. Robinson seems to view himself as a top five receiver in the NFL. Evidenced by his ability to get 1,000 yards each of the past two years despite playing with some subpar quarterbacks. The Bears don't seem to agree. While they love his production, it is clear enough they don't think he is worth top 5 money. So what does the wider NFL think about this?
Jeremy Fowler of ESPN found out.
He
polled several top league executives, coaches, and other members in order to rank the ten best receivers in the game right now. Robinson would surely crack the top 5, validating his demands right? Nope. Not only did the 27-year old failed to reach that high. He didn't even make the list at all.
- Davante Adams
- DeAndre Hopkins
- Stefon Diggs
- Tyreek Hill
- Julio Jones
- Keenan Allen
- Mike Evans
- Michael Thomas
- DK Metcalf
- A.J. Brown
If you're Robinson, that is pretty sobering. This isn't the media or some random fan list. These are people who get paid to evaluate and coach talent in the NFL. For them to not even rank him in the top 10? That may offer some validation to how the Bears have handled this entire situation. The best he has to settle for was an honorable mention.
"Him and Diggs are probably the best route runners. I've seen Robinson with bad QB play put up ridiculous numbers. Release off the ball ridiculous, radius terrific, knowledge second to none."
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Allen Robinson is good but is he truly great?
That is the thing to remember in all this. Smart teams don't pay good players the kind of money only great ones should receive. That is where the division between the Bears and Robinson sits. They view him as a really good player. He views himself as a great one. Unless one or the other magically alters their stance? This disagreement isn't going to see a resolution anytime soon. That is why it is more likely than ever Allen Robinson will be in a different uniform by this time next year.
If somebody else wants to pay him that huge contract? They're free to do so. Pace seems confident he'll be able to restock the receiver position without Robinson. Is that arrogant and risky? To a degree, yes. Still, it isn't an unmerited approach. Wide receivers tend to be more plentiful compared to other positions. The Bears have already made some nice discoveries in previous years like
Cameron Meredith and Darnell Mooney.
This is the same GM who signed Robinson in the first place don't forget.
Maybe something can still happen. A lot will be determined over the next few months. IF Robinson delivers another big year? He is probably gone. If he regresses slightly or happens to get hurt? The Bears might be able to use that as leverage to keep him around. Otherwise, expect them to be aggressive on the receiver market come next spring.
