The Bears must wonder where they would be without receiver Allen Robinson, who has been their best offensive player the last two seasons and thrives no matter who plays quarterback.
But it’s equally valid to imagine how high Robinson might soar if he ever gets away from the disastrous offenses that have plagued him throughout his career.
Robinson burned the Texans for nine catches, 123 yards and a touchdown in the Bears’ 36-7 victory Sunday. That put him at 1,027 yards for the season, and he now has broken the 1,000-yard mark with Blake Bortles (2015), Mitch Trubisky (2019) and a combination of Trubisky and Nick Foles (2020) as his quarterbacks.
‘‘It means a lot,’’ Robinson said of the milestone. ‘‘I’m the person that’s waking up early in the spring, early in the summer, working out in South Florida and trying to put myself in the best position possible to help my team. When you kind of reflect on the work as a player that you put in and what you set out to accomplish, it definitely does feel good.’’
It also makes you rich. As Robinson plays out the final season of his three-year, $42 million deal with the Bears, he has put himself in optimal position to hit the jackpot in free agency.
The Bears will have to outbid outside offers that could crack $20 million per year or use the franchise tag on Robinson, which would pay him the average of the top five receiver salaries or 120% of his current pay — whichever is greater — next season. In his prime at 27, Robinson’s market value will be substantial.
Robinson has caught 239 passes for 2,928 yards and 17 touchdowns since signing with the Bears in 2018. In 42 games with the team, he’s already 17th in franchise history in yardage. And he has accounted for 32.1% of their passing offense in the last two seasons.
‘‘He’s been huge,’’ Trubisky said. ‘‘He’s a leader of our offense. He has been a great friend, brother, to me, and . . . I’m just lucky to throw him the ball.’’
