Earlier this week, the Chicago Bears made their first big move of the off-season when they placed the franchise label on wide receiver Allen Robinson. The former Pro-Bowl wide receiver has been the main question mark since training camp last year when everyone and their brother wondered if and when he would get an extension.
Robinson, who scored a total of 102 catches, 1,250 receiving shots and six touchdowns last season, has not yet signed a long-term deal, but he will be guaranteed about $ 18 million this season. But even though the team knows they still have their star receiver on tow for at least another year, there is still the big question of who is going to throw the ball to him.
With trade rumors and reports of Seattle Seahawks full-back Russell Wilson turning faster than the winds at Soldier Field, one has to wonder if Robinson’s trade might be the key to achieving their highest quarterback target.
For the past few weeks, Wilson has been the talk of the town. The Seahawks quarterback caused a stir over the past month or so when he expressed frustration over the Seahawks organization for not being adequately protected in the bag. Things escalated further when a report surfaced saying Wilson was willing to give up his non-trade clause to play for four other teams, including the Bears, if he was formally asked to deal.
Since then, the Bears have reportedly been a high priority for Wilson. The problem is that Seattle have no plans to trade their franchise quarterback yet, and if they do, it is believed the Bears do not have enough assets to lure them into a deal. This is where Robinson comes into play.
Although it is difficult to determine the value of a player in the trading market, it is possible that Robinson may be a choice in the first round, probably in the back of the round. Teams like the New York Jets and Jacksonville Jaguars, who finished 23rd and 25th respectively, are two possible options, given their need for the position. Both teams have plenty of leeway and hold several selections in the first round in this year’s draft.
Furthermore, Robinson expressed vague interest in playing for both teams as well. The Baltimore Ravens, who have the 27th overall pick, could also be players, but it is reported that they are not currently interested in Robinson.
If the Bears had found a deal for Robinson that they could make one of these picks, they would have had two picks in the first round this year, even though it was in the 20s, as the Bears’ draft picks are 20th. This is another important brand and it could put the Bears’ offer to Seattle over the edge.
It’s no secret general manager Ryan Pace who’s desperate for a quarterback, and there’s news that the Bears are insisting on making Seattle an offer they can not refuse. The problem is that their supply at the moment is probably not very strong. Seattle will likely want to land another solid quarterback in the deal, which the Bears cannot offer, and the NFL teams can only trade draft picks for three years in the future.
However, according to Brad Spielberger of Pro Football Focus, they can pack as many choices in the first round as they want, as long as they are only three years out. Since Pace wants to blow the Seahawks out of the water with a compelling offer, he could consider giving Robinson an extra pick for the first round to sweeten the deal.
Are four firsts, plus additional assets, too much to give up on Wilson? To some it may be, but it seems Pace and the Bears do not care about a player of Wilson’s caliber when their job is at stake.
The fact that Robinson is lost in the process will hurt the offense, but the free agent class of recipients is pretty deep. Signing someone like Marvin Jones Jr., Corey Davis, Will Fuller V or even Kenny Golladay and pairing them with Darnell Mooney and Anthony Miller is not the worst thing to happen. There is also no guarantee that Robinson will also be with the Bears after 2021, as both parties have not yet been able to reach an agreement on an extension.
If the Bears seriously try to trade for Russell Wilson, they will need all possible assets to lure Seattle to handle him. Robinson could be the key to putting the bid ahead. And if the trade continues, the Bears have the extra choice to use as an asset to move up in the draft, to use it as a trademark for another veteran that would be available later in the off-season, like the Houston Texans. fullback Deshaun Watson or Atlanta Falcons fullback Matt Ryan. The Bears can also beat when nothing materializes and set up a new impact rookie.
Regardless, the Bears seem ready to do whatever it takes to land Wilson. That should mean Robinson may have to divorce to make it happen.