Can we please stop comparing Mitchell Trubisky to this quarterback?

Allen Robinson as a Measuring Stick

Lucky for us, we have a pretty clear barometer to measure the difference between Blake Bortles and Mitchell Trubisky. Allen Robinson has played with both quarterbacks. One thing is easy to point out as a difference between Bortles and Trubisky. Robinson had shown plenty of frustration with Blake Bortles while in Jacksonville, that is not the case here in Chicago.

Although Robinson has said publicly that his relationship with Bortles was on good terms and any feud between them was overblown. Well, that sounds great and all, but Trubisky and Robinson seem to really enjoy one another. Both of them are constantly talking up the other and you do not hear outbursts like “keep it in bounds”.

Now let us look at some of the numbers. While in Jacksonville, Allen Robinson broke out in his sophomore season in 2015. He finished with 1,400 yards and 14 touchdowns. His receiving yards per target that season was the best of his career at 9.30. That said, his catch rate was only 53 percent. Was that on Robinson or Bortles? I am going to say Bortles and here is why.

While in Jacksonville, Robinson averaged a catch rate of 53.53 percent. This was one reason I never thought Robinson would amount to being one of the top wide receivers in the NFL. Boy was I wrong. He has clearly looked the part as a true WR1 this year. While in Chicago, Robinson has averaged a 62 percent catch rate. That is nearly a 10 percent increase. I have to believe that Trubisky has something to do with it.

Thos thinking it is because Trubisky throws shorter, safer passes, you are wrong. Ove his three years in Jacksonville, Robinson averaged 7.30 yards per target and that included his career year at 9.30. Now, looking at his relationship in Chicago with Trubisky, the narrative is Trubisky only throws dump downs. He constantly throws balls that should be tipped or intercepted. Ugh. More of the narrative I keep having to prove wrong.

The combined yards per target while in Chicago the last two seasons, is 7.85. Not that we are looking at a huge difference here between 7.85 and 7.30 yards per target, but it further proves that Robinson is not running shorter routes in Chicago like I am sure many naysayers will try to use as an excuse. Robinson’s stats alone are not enough though. Let us compare the quarterbacks.