Chicago Bears: Allen Robinson thinks he’d get long-term deal elsewhere

Chicago Bears wide receiver Allen Robinson has had enough of general manager Ryan Pace and his penny pinching.

Last September, the Bears and Robinson attempted to get a contract extension done, however the two sides could not agree on terms. Robinson then played out the final year of his original 3-year contract he signed.

He ended the season with 102 receptions for 1,250 yards and six touchdowns. After three years with the Bears and over 3,000 yards receiving, Robinson was the top available free agent wide receiver before the deadline on Tuesday.

Just a couple of hours prior to the deadline, Chicago announced it would be using the franchise tag on Robinson. While many thought it was a foregone conclusion, the tag was never Robinson’s ideal scenario.

We have heard Robinson speak on his disdain for the franchise tag recently and talk about how the Bears “had their chance” to get a deal done last year. On Tuesday, a couple of hours after seeing the news of the tag, Pro Football Focus tweeted this clip of Robinson and his thoughts on the situation.

https://twitter.com/pff/status/1369427854795157508?s=21

By no one’s surprise, Robinson doesn’t like the tag. Not only does he dislike the tag, but he believes all of the other 31 teams would love to sign him to a long-term deal. If that’s not a direct shot at general manager Ryan Pace, I don’t know what is.

Robinson is not wrong, though.

Look around the league and compile a list of teams without a true number one receiver — a guy who is in the top five in receptions and yards over the past three seasons. That list would be pretty long, and Robinson would have no problem getting paid on a long-term deal elsewhere.

He’s absolutely right.

Unfortunately, the franchise tag is still an option for teams. Until the NFLPA gets rid of it altogether, players will have to live with the potential of getting hit with it.

ESPNs Jeff Darlington reported a few days ago that Robinson likely would not play on the franchise tag, so this move must mean one of two things: either the Bears are confident they will work out a contract extension with Robinson, or they will trade him.

Just a couple of years ago, the Seattle Seahawks used the franchise tag on Frank Clark and ended up dealing him to Kansas City. It’s not all that uncommon of a situation. Obviously, the majority of Bears fans would like the former idea to happen, though.

Robinson and the Bears have until July 15 to work out a long-term deal, and after that, Robinson’s possible decision to sit out the season may come to fruition. That hasn’t worked out well in recent years, though, so for both sides’ sake, let’s hope they get a deal done.