Why Money Might Not Be What's Stalling The Allen Robinson Extension

GM Ryan Pace is usually great about extending players who deserve new deals. He's done it many times for key guys like Akiem Hicks, Cody Whitehair, Eddie Jackson, Eddie Goldman, and Bobby Massie. Most Chicago Bears fans naturally assumed the same would be in store for Allen Robinson. It's only logical. He was far and away their best offensive weapon last year. Their first 1,000-yard receiver since Alshon Jeffery in 2014.

Yet with the season just a week away, nothing has surfaced. In fact, Robinson has hinted multiple times in recent weeks that the Bears haven't even come forward with an offer. Is that true? One would think he has no reason to lie. At the same time, this could be a major negotiating tactic. One meant to put pressure on the team by riling up fans over the lack of action.

Pace has said the team loves Robinson and would like to keep him. However, he's facing difficult circumstances. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, projections are the 2021 salary cap could experience a massive drop. As much as $23 million. The Bears are already a little light on available future cash. Extending the start receiver would make it that much more difficult.

Then there is another theory. Could Robinson be deflecting extension overtures? While it sounds a bit unusual at first, the Bears did see Jeffery do the same thing a few years ago. Why?

Unhappiness with the quarterback situation.

Allen Robinson remains haunted by questionable QB situations

It's become a running joke since he entered the league. Robinson has made a productive career in the NFL despite horrid quarterback play. First it was Blake Bortles in Jacksonville. Now it's Mitch Trubisky in Chicago. Two 1st round draft busts. While money and individual success are important, Robinson has said time and again the only thing he's interested in is winning. He's only played in one playoff game in his career.

Now he's entering his third year with Trubisky as the starter. Can one blame him for having second thoughts about staying in Chicago long-term? The odds of Mitch working out are long at this point. That means the Bears will either hope Nick Foles can step in and excel or they'll have to hit the reset button in 2021. A prospect that won't appeal to a wide receiver in his prime like Robinson.

Hence why he may force the Bears' hand by stalling negotiations into next offseason. They'll have two choices. Apply the franchise tag or let him walk. Is all this really the case?

There's no way to know since both sides have gone silent.