Lost in the poor quarterback play in Chicago has been the impressive play by receiver Allen Robinson, who in two seasons has proven to be the No. 1 receiver the Bears have been missing.
While Robinson has shown the ability to get separation and make easy catches, he’s even more impressive when it comes to challenging defenders that contest passes at the catch point.
According to Pro Football Focus, Robinson ranks third in the NFL in most contested catches since 2018, which was his first season with the Bears. Robinson’s 40 contested catches ranks just behind Atlanta’s Julio Jones and Detroit’s Kenny Golladay, who both have 43.
In 2019, Robinson was the lone bright spot on Chicago’s abysmal offense. He had 98 catches for 1,147 yards and seven touchdowns — the first 1,000-yard season for a Bears receiver since 2014.
And the kicker is, he did it with questionable quarterback play amid a struggling offense where defenders knew he was getting the ball.
Robinson, who is entering the final year of his three-year deal with Chicago, has made it clear that he’d like to remain with the Bears for the long-term. General manager Ryan Pace has confirmed there have been internal discussions regarding an extension for Robinson, and locking up Robinson should be a priority for the Bears.
Pace has a knack for extending players prior to the start of the season, including Charles Leno Jr., Akiem Hicks, Eddie Goldman and Cody Whitehair. Robinson could — and should — find himself on that list soon enough.
