The Bears can now franchise tag Allen Robinson

The Chicago Bears and Allen Robinson haven’t had contract talks since last September, which isn’t exactly an encouraging sign for the star wide receiver’s future in Chicago.

We’ll soon see what the Bears intend to do about the Robinson situation, which could become clear as early as Tuesday. That’s when NFL teams can begin designating franchise players. And, at this point, it seems like a safe bet that Chicago will place the tag on Robinson.

Robinson has stayed quiet on the topic of a contract extension since last September, but with the threat of a franchise tag looming, Robinson opened up about his situation with Tyler Dunne of Go Long.

“It would be like if I told somebody, ‘You are qualified for this job. And this is what the other people at that job are making. But you can’t make that,'” Robinson said. “Nobody in America would even do that. You see people go from job to job on an everyday basis in America. They get a job, they fill out another resume because, now, they have the experience. They go from company to company to company, at the same time, increasing their salaries. But for players, when you get in that situation where you’re even up for a contract, it’s almost a lose-lose between the fans and — for a lot of players, not just myself — even the organization and teammates.

“The narrative of the story is so muddied up for no reason at all, when players just want what their value is.”

When asked whether he’d consider joining Deshaun Watson and Stefon Diggs as players who are trying to or have forced a trade out of their respective situations, Robinson said that’s “definitely an option.”

The Bears have from now until March 9 to use the franchise tag on Robinson before free agency begins and he can begin exploring the open market.

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Bears 2021 free agency preview: Will Allen Robinson remain in Chicago?