Since the end of this past season, I’ve been consistent in my stance that this Chicago Bears’ offseason is one of the most important in a long, long time. It bodes well for fourth-year GM Ryan Pace, as he continues his onslaught on this year’s offseason.
Early Tuesday morning, NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported that the Bears are the preferred landing spot for top-target free agent wide receiver Allen Robinson, verbally agreeing to a 3-year deal, $14M/yr.
It’s going to be 3 years, $42M with roughly $25M guaranteed. https://t.co/cktLP6CLOe
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 13, 2018
The 6’3″ wideout, who was named as a Pro Bowl alternate in 2016. He suffered an ACL injury in Week 1 of this past season, and now seems like he’s in full health as he posted this video on his twitter of him box-jumping:
#TrustTheProcess pic.twitter.com/EhDYQukIZP
— Allen Robinson II (@Thee_AR15) March 12, 2018
His big frame and ability to go up and snag a football at the highest jump-point is a new toy-feature Trubisky will get to play around with, especially when Mitch is using his athletic, improvisation ability to make plays. Another strength of Robinson’s game is his route-running ability. At 6’3″, it’s common for guys his size to struggle to get in and out of breaks and gain separation. But as Matt Bowen shows below, it wasn’t a problem for AR15 pre-injury.
More Allen Robinson from ‘16 — Pivot route. That’s pretty nasty. pic.twitter.com/TUS5KDS2L2
— Matt Bowen (@MattBowen41) March 10, 2018
The Bears’ desperate need for reliable pass-catchers is no secret. They were also pursuing the services of former Rams receiver Sammy Watkins before the news broke. With Mitchell Trubisky entering his sophomore year under offensive-minded head coach Matt Nagy, it’s been clear what the theme of the Pace-led free agency frenzy will be; invest in the investment.
Chicago has been linked to other potential weapons for Mitch to utilize, like swing-TE Trey Burton*, Jimmy Graham, and Albert Wilson, who now has a verbal agreement with the Dolphins. With Pace missing on Wilson, I’d look for names like Willie Snead, Taylor Gabriel, and even Kendall Wright, who was the lone bright spot in the Bears’ receiving corp last year and has experience working with Trubisky. I expect Ryan Pace to keep searching for talent on offense.
The three cornerstone positions in terms of football-operations on any franchise are usually the general manager, head coach, and quarterback. All three contracts of Pace, Nagy, and Trubisky are essentially lined up. There’s no better time to build a perennial contender than right now.
*UPDATE* Per Mike Garafolo, Bears have an agreement with the aforementioned swing-TE, and Super Bowl champion Trey Burton. Burton will be a nice change of pace, pass-catching TE. A great compliment the big-body second-round pick of last year, Adam Shaheen. Another passing-option for Trubisky. Keep at it, Mr. Pace!
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