Jaguars wide receiver Allen Robinson is entering the final year of his rookie contract which will pay him just south of $900K for the 2017 campaign, and he believes he’s “earned” an extension from Jacksonville, according to Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union. Still, Robinson doesn’t sound as though he’ll hold out or use any other negotiating tactics in order to secure a long-term deal.
“If we get something done, we do and if not, I have a big year coming ahead for me and I have an obligation to my teammates to play at a high level,” Robinson said.
The Jaguars have already extended fellow pass-catcher Allen Hurns, handing him a four-year, $40.05MM deal after only two seasons. Hurns only had to wait two years to earn a long-term deal given that he was originally an undrafted free agent, while Robinson — a drafted player (second round) — had to finish his third NFL season before becoming eligible for a new deal.
The Hurns deal is a clear floor for Robinson, who has eclipsed Hurns’ production since entering the league in 2014 and is easily viewed as Jacksonville’s No. 1 wideout. Robinson, 23, posted a breakout campaign in 2015, hauling in 80 receptions for 1,400 yards and eight touchdowns. 2016 was a down year, however, as Robinson managed only 73 catches, 883 yards, and six scores (quarterback Blake Bortles‘ decline certainly didn’t help Robinson).
While Hurns’ $10MM annual average is the bare minimum asking price for Robinson, he’ll certainly target a higher total. Antonio Brown recently reset the wide receiver market with a $17MM AAV, and A.J. Green, Julio Jones, Demaryius Thomas, Dez Bryant, and T.Y. Hilton are all earning $13MM or more per season.
If the former PSU WR wants a big pay day and Jax doesn’t want to give it to him, I’d bet some other team will. And, if AlRob wants to win, hopefully, Jax WON’T give him the big pay day.