If the Bears lose Allen Robinson, what are their options at receiver?

By Allen Robinson’s account, the Bears had 365 days to ink a contract extension.

Speaking with members of the media a day after the Bears’ playoff loss to the New Orleans Saints, Robinson sounded like a man who doesn’t know what’s going to happen next. In a news conference with chairman George McCaskey and president/CEO Ted Phillips, Bears general manager Ryan Pace said the Bears held discussions with Robinson during the season.

“It’s always a balance with players in season with their contracts,” Pace said. “You’re always trying to strike a balance. You never want that to be a distraction. But ultimately, I care about Allen and his focus. Allen and I have talked about that. Allen and I have a good relationship.”

Reading between the lines a little bit, this situation – not surprisingly – comes down to the money. Signing an extension mid-season was never an issue. Pace inked Tarik Cohen to a three-year extension worth $17.25 million. As it stands now, the Bears don’t have the cap space in 2021 for Robinson, who likely is asking for $20 million a year or more, although we’ll truly never know what happened in his contract negotiations.

There are always ways for the Bears to find salary cap space through cuts, trades and contract restructuring. The Bears could use the franchise tag on Robinson to keep him in town next year, but it would likely cost the team about $18 million, and Robinson doesn’t sound interested in a one-year franchise tag.

“I plead the fifth,” Robinson said when asked about the franchise tag.

With no cap space currently in 2021, it’s going to be hard to make room for Robinson and a quarterback, which won’t come cheap either. There is a distinct possibility Robinson will test the free agent market and find a home elsewhere.

So where would that leave the Bears at receiver? From the sounds of it, McCaskey wasn’t too happy about Anthony Miller’s ejection.

Even with one year remaining on his contract, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Bears parted ways with Miller, who saw his playing time dwindle with the emergence of rookie Darnell Mooney. Cutting Miller would cost the Bears only $493,400 in cap space in 2021, according to Spotrac, and would save about $1.2 million in cap space. There’s no guarantee that will happen, but if the owner isn’t happy that’s not a good sign.

That would leave the Bears with only Mooney, Javon Wims and Riley Ridley from the active roster, as well as futures contracts with receivers Rodney Adams, Thomas Ives, Reggie Davis and Jester Weah. Cordarrelle Patterson is set to become a free agent and was used sparingly at receiver in 2020.

Here are some options the Bears could look at to bolster the position:

The Free Agents

The top tier

In addition to Robinson, the top receivers set to hit free agency include Tampa Bay’s Chris Godwin, Detroit’s Kenny Golladay and Houston’s Will Fuller. All of these options will cost a hefty sum. According to Spotrac’s market value estimator, Fuller is the cheapest of the four at an estimated $16.9 million per year.

A year ago, Pittsburgh’s JuJu Smith-Schuster would’ve seemed like a lock in the top tier, but a confounding contract year leaves some questions. He was used much more in short passing situations this season. That being said, Spotrac estimates his market value near $17 million a year, which certainly puts him in this category, despite only 8.6 yards per reception in 2020.

The next tier

If the Bears are looking to sign a more economical option who can still play at a high level, this next group seems more likely: Tennessee’s Corey Davis, Detroit’s Marvin Jones Jr., Carolina’s Curtis Samuel, Las Vegas’ Nelson Agholor. To a lesser extent, Kansas City’s Sammy Watkins and Indianapolis’ T.Y. Hilton could be considered here, although both raise some concerns (Hilton is 31 years old; Watkins has an injury history).

Davis and Jones will likely earn contracts somewhere in the range of $10 million a year. Davis, who went to Wheaton Warrenville South, could make a lot of sense.

The draft

First rounders

With questions at quarterback and on the offensive line, receiver seems to be a distant third priority in the draft for the Bears. If they target a top receiver in the draft, they would likely have to trade up from their spot with the 20th-overall pick. Alabama receivers DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle will probably be gone at No. 20. So will LSU’s Ja’Marr Chase.

For a late first-round pick, look to Florida’s Kadarius Toney, Minnesota’s Rashod Bateman or Ole Miss’ Elijah Moore.

Beyond the first round

If the Bears wait until the second round or beyond, some names to keep an eye on include: LSU’s Terrace Marshall, Purdue’s Rondale Moore, USC’s Amon-Ra St. Brown, North Carolina’s Dyami Brown, Oklahoma State’s Tylan Wallace or Iowa’s Ihmir Smith-Marsette, among others.