Allen Robinson in Camp and Ready to Roll

NFL Contracts are usually an interesting subject to discuss. Often, stars will hold out during off-season activities to renegotiate a contract in order to get more money from their team.

One player who is doing the opposite is current Chicago Bears wide receiver Allen Robinson II. While the seven-year veteran is not thrilled with his current contract situation, he won’t let that become a distraction.

The former Penn State Nittany Lion and former Jacksonville Jaguar is expected to be placed on the franchise tag by Chicago, but he’s not going to let it bother him as he reported to mandatory minicamp after passing on voluntary OTAs. He also said on Wednesday that he would not hold out from training camp, even though it is unlikely that he will receive an extension by then.

As Robinson told the Chicago Star-Tribune on Wednesday afternoon, “That’s not in my control. That is what it is. I’m comfortable with that. Obviously, that’s a possibility. My main focus right now is to continue to get better.”

But he’s not in any rush to force the Bears’ hand. Since joining the team in 2018, Robinson has been the featured target for many a Chicago quarterback. When looking at statistics, through 45 games over a span of the last three seasons, he has accumulated 255 receptions for a total of 3,151 yards, and he also has 17 touchdown catches.

Robinson’s Last Deal

2020 was the last season of a three-year deal worth $42 million, and if a new extension is not reached, the Bears will have to spend a franchise tag valued at $17.9 million on Robinson for 2021. Ouch.

He hasn’t created much drama or a rift either with the organization. Robinson has said that he wants a longer-term contract, but he has maintained a sense of professionalism through the issue.

As for his report to minicamp through the contract buzz, his coach, Matt Nagy couldn’t be more excited to see the seven-year veteran wideout report.

“It just goes to show who he is,” Nagy said. “It shows what kind of teammate he is and what the game means to him . . . He’s just a really good person who cares a lot about winning, and we appreciate that.”

Ready to Contribute

Regardless of who the signal-caller is for Chicago, Robinson has stepped up and produced over the last three campaigns. Between Mitchell Trubisky, Chase Daniel, and Nick Foles, Robinson ranks fourth in the league in catches (200 even) and receiving yards (2397), and he also is tied for 18th over the last two seasons with 13 touchdown receptions.

While he will continue to produce for the Bears, Chicago has not budged much in terms of setting up a valuable extension for Robinson. But the risk of no extension could do more harm than good. As the article notes, “But it’s not the right approach with someone who has delivered for them in every possible way since his arrival. Robinson could be an essential part of the team for years to come, but instead, it only feels like a matter of time before the Bears damage this relationship to a point where it can no longer be repaired.”

Allen Robinson is becoming a big name at the wide receiver position, and he’s a good teammate that may be a hot commodity if Chicago doesn’t give him an extension before the season ends.