One of the big dominoes has now officially dropped. The Bears have placed the franchise tag on star receiver Allen Robinson, a source told Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
This news was expected, as Chicago has insisted all along they aren’t going to let Robinson walk. This is the second consecutive year the team has tagged Robinson. There’s been some strife between the franchise and the player, and although Robinson has said he isn’t opposed to continuing to play for the Bears, he’s also made it clear he didn’t want to be tagged. Robinson now joins Chris Godwin as top receivers getting tagged, while the Lions are letting Kenny Golladay hit the open market.
We heard a few weeks ago that the two sides hadn’t had any talks about an extension since way back in September, so they’re at a bit of a stalemate. Robinson, who is reportedly seeking top of the receiver market money on any long-term deal, was liking tweets encouraging him to skip town late in the year.
This doesn’t guarantee Robinson will be back in Chicago in 2021, as it’s been reported that a tag and trade scenario is a strong possibility. The Bears could realize they’re never going to pay Robinson what he wants on a massive contract and decide to get something out of him while they can. The tag is slated to pay him around $18MM if he plays under it this coming year.
The Penn State product has been incredibly consistent over the years considering the inconsistent quarterbacks he’s been paired with. He’s put up at least 1,147 yards and six touchdowns in each of the past two years.
Nice
Dang
A trade involving Orlando Brown and the Ravens with some other pieces switching hands makes a lot of sense.
Ruckus727
As a Bears fan I absolutely love you for this idea. Sadly with the bears useless GM it will never happen
#FireRyanPace
I don’t know. Letting Robinson go leaves a huge hole that even a first round pick probly wouldn’t fill. However a first round pick could replace Massie without losing their biggest weapon. And whoever the new QB is, he’s got to have someone to throw to, right?
He wasn’t tagged last year.
Was never tagged by the Bears. His 3 year deal just expired. Please fact check.
Trade rumors doesn’t believe in fact checking
It’s mainly just this one. Even hoops isn’t as bad as these guys are.
The bears app says he was tagged
The Bears app is wrong.
Bears just once spend some money the fans will be back in 21-22 please make this the year
The Bears love to spend money but only if your a useless player like Mike Glennon who provides one winning effort for $40M.
This is an incredibly ignorant statement. The Bears have spent plenty of money the past few seasons.
His statement is correct. The Bears have spent a lot of money on useless players. Mike Glennon being one of them. They paid this guy $16+ million. Ryan Pace and his Quarterback scouting. Teddy Bridgewater was also available. He signed with Saints as a backup. How much are the Bears paying Nick Foles????? Why are they paying Nick Foles??? Oh, that’s right …. Mitch Trubisky is NOT the franchise quarterback. Traded up to draft Trubisky when Mahomes and Watson were on the board. Chase Daniel made a fortune as Bears backup quarterback. Why? Another coach for Mitch. The same guy ….. Ryan Pace ….. who made all of these stupid decisions ….. Is now in the process of trying to acquire the next Bears quarterback in an effort to save his job. If quarterback is the most important position by far ……. then why do the Bears have Ryan Pace, who has proven he cannot evaluate quarterbacks ….. picking their next quarterback.
#FireRyanPace
A tag and trade deal makes a lot of sense here, as Robinson is probably worth more in a trade than the standard compensatory pick.