The Chicago Bears have agreed to a contract
with former Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Allen Robinson, hoping he
can form a dynamic tandem with quarterback Mitchell Trubisky and
help energize a stagnant passing game.
The Bears announced the move Wednesday, a day after Robinson told
ESPN he was planning to sign a $42 million, three-year deal.
Chicago also announced agreements with Philadelphia Eagles tight
end Trey Burton ($32 million, four years), Atlanta Falcons receiver
Taylor Gabriel, Miami Dolphins kicker Cody Parkey and New Orleans
Saints backup quarterback Chase Daniel.
The Bears are coming off their fourth straight last-place finish in
the NFC North and fourth straight season with 10 or more losses.
They came into free agency looking to surround Trubisky - the No. 2
overall pick in last year's draft - with more play-making targets
and boost a passing game that ranked last in the NFL.
The moves they announced showed just how serious they were.
They are banking on Robinson to recover from a torn ACL in his left
knee and regain the form that made him a Pro Bowl pick in 2015.
Robinson seemed poised to be a key part of the Jaguars' offense
last year following a strong training camp. But he injured his knee
on Jacksonville's third play of the season. The Jaguars went on to
win the AFC South and advance to the conference title game.
Jacksonville coach Doug Marrone said at the NFL scouting combine
Robinson is ''right on schedule'' in his recovery from the torn ACL.
At 24, he is young and would fill a huge need if he reverts to his
2015 form. He had 80 receptions for 1,400 yards and 14 touchdowns
that year, 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.
Burton gets a chance to be the No. 1 tight end on the Bears after
catching 23 passes for 248 yards and five TDs in Philadelphia's
championship season. He also threw a touchdown pass to quarterback
Nick Foles in the Eagles' Super Bowl victory over New England.
Gabriel had 33 catches for 378 yards and a touchdown last season.
He has 132 receptions for 1,819 yards and eight touchdowns in four
seasons with Atlanta and Cleveland.
Parkey made 21 of 23 field goals in his lone season with Miami. He
worked with new Bears special teams coordinator Chris Tabor with
the Cleveland Browns in 2016, after spending his first two years in
Philadelphia.
Daniel has played for New Orleans, Kansas City and Philadelphia
since entering the league in 2009. New Bears coach Matt Nagy was
his quarterbacks coach with the Chiefs from 2013-15.
The Bears also announced Wednesday they have agreed to contracts
with linebacker Sam Acho and cornerback Prince Amukamara, keeping
them in Chicago. Quarterback Mike Glennon, receiver Marcus Wheaton
and defensive back Marcus Cooper were released on Wednesday.
