Report: Bears and Allen Robinson not expected to reach agreement on new deal

Every time a new report surfaces about Chicago Bears number one wide out Allen Robinson, it’s bad news. The latest of which comes courtesy of the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, who Tweeted that the two sides are “not expected to reach a long-term extension.”

The deadline to sign players that signed the franchise tag is on Thursday, July 15, and if Rapoport’s report comes true, then A-Rob will play the 2021 season on the $17.88 million tag.

The Bears have had plenty of chances to get Robinson locked up, dating back before the pandemic brought the 2021 salary cap down, but some deals signed by other receivers likely shook up the market which gave Robinson and GM Ryan Pace pause.

While there has been no public monetary demand from Robinson or his representatives, it seems probable that he’s seeking somewhere in the neighborhood of the $20 million annual contract that Amari Cooper signed March of 2020.

With the Bears on the verge of putting the best quarterback Robinson has ever played with on the field, perhaps the two sides get a chance to see him at his best, which could lead to a long-term deal next year. Either that or the Bears have the option to tag him one more season, but a 2022 tag would be well over $21 million.

Credit needs to go to Robinson for putting in all the work this offseason and still remaining professional while his contract situation is unsettled. We’ve seen plenty of franchise tagged players bring drama to their team, but A-Rob is having none of that.