Chicago Bears wide receiver Allen Robinson will have to play on the franchise tag in 2021.
Unfortunately for Chicago Bears star wide receiver Allen Robinson, he is one of six NFL players who will have to play on the franchise tag this upcoming season.
Robinson and the Bears organization were unable to come to a long-term extension before the July 15 deadline. He will play out the 2021 NFL season on a one-year deal worth $17.88 million. The former Penn State standout and 2015 Pro Bowler with the Jacksonville Jaguars will be hitting free agency next winter ahead of his age-29 season. Did the Bears make the right decision here?
Here is how Twitter is reacting to the notion that Robinson will indeed play on the franchise tag.
The scoreboard:
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 15, 2021
— 10 players tagged
— Dak Prescott, Leonard Williams, Justin Simmons and Taylor Moton get new deals.
— Marcus Williams, Marcus Maye, Chris Godwin, Allen Robinson & Cam Robinson play on the tag for the 1st time.
— Brandon Scherff plays on the tag for the 2nd time.
Chicago Bears fans react to Allen Robinson having to play on the franchise tag
The reactions over the Bears and Robinson being unable to strike a deal are somewhat mixed. While some fans do not understand how Bears general manger Ryan Pace could even let this happen, others feel like this was a foregone conclusion and this will be Robinson’s final year in Chicago anyway.
Alright. So Allen Robinson will play on the Franchise Tag in 2021. Cool, cool, cool. pic.twitter.com/3CxBE7Re2p
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) July 15, 2021
.@AllenRobinson is about to show everybody what's up. pic.twitter.com/eKnVDdlV6s
— Michael Piff (@Mike_PiFF03) July 15, 2021
I've been talking about this on air for well over a year at this point but Allen Robinson and the franchise tag was inevitable. This will be his last year as a Bear.
— Danny Parkins (@DannyParkins) July 15, 2021
I think both #Bears and Allen Robinson made the right decision by not budging. ARob is betting on himself and expects his value to go up with Justin Fields at QB. Ryan Pace expects Chicago to become much more intriguing (yes, Fields) to WRs (that includes ARob). It makes sense.
— Flo Ottis (@flo_ottis) July 15, 2021
The one thing connecting most of these compelling Twitter arguments are that of rookie quarterback Justin Fields. The No. 11 overall pick has massive potential coming out of Ohio State, but is undoubtedly unproven at the NFL level. This could be a factor in the Bears and Robinson not being able to reach a long-term extension before the July 15 deadline.
Bro what is up with Ryan Pace and number 1 receivers?!?! He let go of Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffery, and now possibly Allen Robinson? Keep AROB in house!! Make him a Bear for the long term and make him a Bear for life!!!! #ExtendAllenRobinson
— DJ Pardo (@DJPardo24) July 15, 2021
Allen Robinson not signing a long term deal probably because he does not want to commit to something that’s a huge gamble with Fields not proven.
— Jay Holahan (@JayHolahan3) July 15, 2021
Pace had one fkn job and he failed to sign @AllenRobinson to an extension, just know the fans appreciate you ARob
— Cesar (@CZAR708) July 15, 2021
Imagine not extending Allen Robinson
— Dan (@DanWeiner_) July 15, 2021
What cannot be lost in all of this is how many sub-par quarterbacks Robinson has had throwing him the ball throughout his college and pro careers. From Christian Hackenberg, to Blake Bortles, to Mitchell Trubiksy, to Nick Foles, you have to feel for the guy in what he has had to work with for well over a decade now. Just imagine what he could do with a consistent top-12 quarterback.
The Bears *REALLY* fumbled the bag on this Allen Robinson situation.
— Funky Cold Luda (Taylor’s Version) (@lcm1986) July 15, 2021
This is the final tweet from this account. Franchise Tag rules do not allow for a player to sign a long term deal as of 4PM today. I failed. Sorry #Bears family
— Is Allen Robinson Extended Yet? (@IsARobExtended) July 15, 2021
So the Bears don’t wanna extend Allen Robinson or lock him down in any way… and really, I get it… but what’s the plan for this organization long-term? Shrink the field? Play a line of scrimmage type of game? I just don’t see the master plan developing, here…
— John Frascella (Football) (@LegendSports7) July 13, 2021
I've been critical of Allen Robinson at times but I'm not gonna act like he's not incredibly good and that we're somehow better without him.
— Bear Soldier (@BearSoldier13) July 14, 2021
Ultimately, it serves Robinson to be playing on a one-year deal. If he balls out and Fields looks to be the real deal, maybe he can return to the Bears on a new contract beginning in 2021? If the Bears or Robinson have a down year, both parties can walk away after experiencing a good, but not great working relationship over four years in Chicago. This is a big year for all parties involved.
While not extending Robinson is controversial, there is no doubt about his abilities to make plays.