Bears may target ex-Pro Bowl receiver Robinson, who avoids franchise tag

Posted March 06, 2018 12:00 am

By Bob LeGere

The Jacksonville Jaguars have informed wide receiver Allen Robinson that he will not receive the franchise tag, which is due at 3 p.m. today.

That will make the four-year veteran the consensus top pass catcher available when the "legal tampering" period of free agency begins Monday, even though Robinson suffered a torn ACL in the 2017 season opener and missed the remainder of the season.

The tag would have paid Robinson $15.98 million in 2018, the average of the top five wide receiver contracts. Free agency officially begins at 3 p.m. March 14.

The Bears, desperate to add an established wide receiver, and devoid of No. 1 wideout, are among several teams expected to show interest in the 6-foot-3, 220-pound Robinson. The 2014 second-round pick (61st overall), had a breakout season in 2015, catching 80 passes for 1,400 yards (17.5-yard average) and 14 touchdowns. After that Pro Bowl season, Robinson caught 73 passes for 883 yards in 2016.

Jacksonville wide receiver Allen Robinson caught 153 passes in his first two seasons with the Jaguars. Associated Press/file

• Bob LeGere is a senior writer at Pro Football Weekly. Follow Bob's Bears reports on Twitter @BobLeGere or @PFWeekly.

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