Chicago Bears: Free agent WR replacements for Allen Robinson in 2022
The Chicago Bears currently have one of the better wide receivers in football in Allen Robinson. Unfortunately, the team only has until July 15, 2021, to sign him to a new deal. This seems unlikely to happen and the Bears could be without Robinson’s services in 2022 unless they franchise tag him for a second time.
Allen Robinson is underrated and often forgotten when people talk about the top pass catchers in the league, but do not think for a second he shouldn’t be included. Over the last couple of seasons, Robinson has found himself in the top 10 when it comes to statistical performance.
In 2020, Allen Robinson finished fourth overall with his 102 catches. Stephon Diggs led the league with 127. Robinson was one of six receivers to catch 100 or more balls. In regards to yards, Allen Robinson finished eighth in the league with 1,250.
Where Robinson struggled compared to others was finding the end zone. Allen Robinson was tied for 10th in the NFL with six touchdowns last year. However, there were 20 other receivers in the league who grabbed seven or more touchdowns. Is this because he is not as good of a red zone threat or is it due to poor quarterback play? Honestly, I think it is a little of both.
Outside of one season, Allen Robinson has never hit double-digit touchdowns. That season came in 2015 when he played for the Jaguars and led the league with 14. This is not to say he can’t get there again, but over the last two years in Chicago, he finished with six in 2020 and seven in 2021. As great as Allen Robinson is, we have to take into account the volume he saw. Every top receiver on a team is going to see a plethora of targets, but Robinson was third in the NFL with 151.
If we go back to 2019, Allen Robinson was sixth in the league with 98 catches. He was 13th in yards with 1,147, however, his volume was once again high with 154 targets — third-most in the league.
As much as I love Allen Robinson and as much as I would love to have him stay here in Chicago to build a connection with Justin Fields for the next four to five years, there is a good chance he isn’t here in 2022 and the team will need to find someone to replace him. Based on his volume, the team could find an even better receiver. I know that is a tough pill to swallow, but Robinson is replaceable. That said, without a 2022 first-round pick, free agency might be the way to do it.