Free Agent WR Allen Robinson expected to sign with Bears, per report

Instead of employing him for 2018, the Green Bay Packers will have to deal with a player they were reportedly considering landing with a divisional rival. Unrestricted free agent wide receiver Allen Robinson, whose rookie contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars is about to expire, has reportedly made his decision about where to sign on Wednesday when free agency officially opens.

Unfortunately for the Packers, he’ll be working about three hours to the South.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Robinson is expected to sign with the Chicago Bears, giving them — and second-year quarterback Mitchell Trubisky — a legitimate deep threat on offense.

The Bears desperately needed help at wideout, as the team recorded just 3085 receiving yards in total last season. Making matters worse is the fact that only about half of that total — 1688 yards — came from the team’s wide receiver corps. Kendall Wright led the way with 59 catches for 614 yards.

Terms of Robinson’s deal with the Bears were reported by Ian Rapoport on Tuesday morning, and the deal appears to consist of $42 million with $25 million guaranteed over three years. By contrast, the Packers signed Davante Adams to a four-year deal worth about $59 million with $30 million guaranteed in December.

It appears to be an awfully big contract for Robinson, who is rehabbing an ACL tear that he suffered in week one last season. Robinson’s production also dipped significantly from 2015 to 2016, though the Jaguars’ offense as a whole was less effective.