Former Pro Bowl WR Robinson Says He's Signing With Bears
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Allen Robinson tells ESPN he plans to sign with the Chicago Bears.
The 2015 Pro Bowl selection said he intends to sign a three-year, $42 million contract when free agency opens on Wednesday. Robinson was impressed by new Bears coach Matt Nagy, saying "I like what he did" as offensive coordinator with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Robinson also tweeted "What's good Chicago!!!?" with a picture of himself in a Bulls game jersey on Tuesday.
The Bears were looking to upgrade their struggling receiving corps and surround quarterback Mitchell Trubisky with more playmakers.
Robinson had a strong training camp last year and looked like he would be an integral part of the offense. But he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee on Jacksonville's third play of the season and had surgery the following week. The Jaguars went on to win the AFC South and advance to the conference final.
Robinson has missed 21 games in four seasons, though Jaguars coach Doug Marrone said at the NFL scouting combine he is "right on schedule" in his recovery from the torn ACL.
A second-round draft pick in 2014 from Penn State, Robinson has 202 catches for 2,848 yards and 22 touchdowns in 43 games. He had 80 receptions for 1,400 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2015, establishing himself as one of the best receivers in franchise history. His production dropped in 2016, with 73 receptions for 883 yards and six scores.
But at 24, he's young and fills a big need for the rebuilding Bears. Chicago's leading receiver last year was Kendall Wright with 59 receptions for 614 yards.
The Bears are banking on Trubisky's development to help them end a string of losing seasons. General manager Ryan Pace staked his reputation on the quarterback by trading up a spot with San Francisco last year to draft him with the No. 2 overall pick.
Chicago fired coach John Fox after going 5-11 and finishing last in the NFC North for the fourth straight year. The Bears have missed the playoffs 10 of the past 11 seasons and have not finished with a winning record since 2012.
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