Chicago Bears: Allen Robinson needs to lead wide receiver corps
Allen Robinson was the Chicago Bears’ big free agent acquisition last offseason. He had an underrated season in 2018 but needs to take a bigger step for the offense to succeed.
Last offseason, the Chicago Bears made many moves to overhaul the roster. One area in which they invested heavily on was the wide receivers corps. The unit ranked dead last in receiving yards and next to last in touchdown catches in 2017.
That unit was completely changed. New receivers were brought in to change things. The biggest fish caught was Allen Robinson. He signed a three-year, $42 million contract. The Bears expected him to repeat his performance in 2015 when he had 1,400 yards and 14 touchdowns. He didn’t do that, however.
Robinson had just 55 catches for 754 yards and four touchdowns. What needs to be said is that he came back from an ACL injury that cost him the 2017 season. Usually, it isn’t until you have a full season under your belt before you start to get back to your previous condition. He dealt with some other injuries not due to his ACL as well (costing him three games) and was learning a new offense.
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This season, Robinson says he isn’t dealing with any injuries. Additionally, he doesn’t have to learn a new offense. He’s spending the offseason strengthening his knowledge of the playbook.
Robinson’s season with the Bears might not have been spectacular but he was solid. He did make some big catches that helped win games in 2018. According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), he was the fourth-highest rated wide receiver on contested catch rates. Also, he had his best game when it mattered the most. In the playoff loss against the Philadelphia Eagles, he had 10 catches for 143 yards and a touchdown. That was what the team and fans wanted to see and that performance gave Bears Nation high hopes for this season.
In order for the Bears to succeed in 2019, Robinson has to have a big season. He needs to be the leader of the wide receivers both on and off the field. His leadership off the field is unquestioned. He worked with his teammates last season and this year welcomed the new additions, both veterans and rookies alike.
Robinson and quarterback Mitch Trubisky were not on the same page on a number of occasions last season. That should change this season. Both have a strong grasp of the playbook and have a better feel for each other after working together this offseason.
Bears WR Allen Robinson, who worked out with Mitchell Trubisky in March in Huntington Beach, California, says he feels like the offense is already "years ahead" of where they were last year.
— Mark Grote (@markgrotesports) May 19, 2019
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With the revamp of the running backs unit this offseason and some additions to the receivers corps, things will open up for Robinson. Having a better rapport with Trubisky will make his life on the field easier. If that happens, we will continue to see magical moments from this team.