The Chicago Bears made some notable additions on the first day of the free agency negotiation period, and a couple of players from last season's roster are gone too. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, edge rusher Dominique Robinson has agreed to a one-year deal worth "up to" $4 million with the Houston Texans.
The Bears drafted Robinson in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Miami of Ohio. With just two years of experience at defensive end in college, after he was recruited as a quarterback before moving to wide receiver, it was well-established that he was a project as he entered the NFL.
Robinson's career started on a high note, with 1.5 sacks in his first regular season game. But those were the only sacks he had that whole season, despite playing in all 17 games (with seven starts) and 51 percent of the defensive snaps.
Robinson would go on to play a total of 17 games over the 2023 and 2024 seasons, with one start. He played 12 games last season, missing time due to an ankle injury and then a concussion, with 1.5 sacks over 215 defensive snaps.
All told, in 46 games as a Bear, Robinson had 3.5 sacks and 68 total tackles.
Loss of Dominique Robinson is not a needle mover for the Bears
When he was a healthy scratch for the 2024 season finale, it seemed possible Robinson would be gone last offseason. But entering the final year of his rookie contract, he was given another shot by a new coaching staff, and a sack in the first preseason game helped win him a spot on the 53-man roster.
Dayo Odeyingbo's season-ending Achilles' tear in Week 9 last season would have seemed to create some increased opportunity for Robinson. But it was not to be, as he topped 30 defensive snaps just once in seven games played (including the playoffs) after Odeyingbo was injured. Oh, and he also failed to register a sack over that span.
Read more: Latest free agency buzz confirms part of Bears' plan that's been clear all along
Robinson's tenure with the Bears will be remembered entirely for unrealized potential, especially after that aforementioned first game in Week 1 of the 2022 season. But the contract he got from the Texans (TBD how much work "up to" $4 million is doing) says it all about how notable a loss he is. Maybe the coaching staff in Houston can reach him in a way the Bears' coaches couldn't.