Allen Robinson Open to Bears Reunion Amid WR Injuries: Could Familiarity and Experience Be the Answer?
The Chicago Bears are limping through the late stretch of the season, and it’s not just a figure of speech. With both Rome Odunze and rookie Luther Burden sidelined-Odunze nursing a foot injury and Burden dealing with an ankle issue-the offense looked noticeably out of sync in Saturday’s game against the Packers. The absence of two key wideouts left quarterback options limited and the passing game sluggish from the jump.
And while the Bears work through the uncertainty surrounding their receiving corps, a familiar face is raising his hand and saying, “I’m ready.”
Enter Allen Robinson.
The veteran wide receiver, who spent four solid seasons in Chicago from 2018 to 2021, has made it clear he’d be open to a return. According to reports, Robinson has expressed interest in rejoining the Bears, noting his familiarity with new head coach Ben Johnson’s offense. Robinson and Johnson overlapped in Detroit during the 2024 season, where Johnson served as offensive coordinator and Robinson played a limited role, recording three catches for 30 yards over 12 games.
“I’ve got familiarity with Ben Johnson’s offense,” Robinson reportedly said. “It’ll only take a phone call from Ben and (WRs coach Antwaan) Randle El.”
Now, let’s be real-Robinson isn’t the WR1 he once was. At 32 years old and without a snap played in the 2025 season, he’s not walking through the door to be the savior of the offense.
But that’s not what the Bears would be asking of him. What they could ask is for a reliable, experienced set of hands to help stabilize a position group that’s suddenly paper thin.
Robinson’s résumé speaks for itself: over 7,000 career receiving yards, 43 touchdowns, and a track record of producing even in less-than-ideal quarterback situations. He knows the city, he knows the pressure, and most importantly, he knows the system. That kind of plug-and-play familiarity doesn’t come around often-especially this late in the season.
For the Bears, the calculus is straightforward. If Odunze and Burden are expected to miss more time-or even if their availability is week-to-week-it makes sense to explore depth options.
Robinson could be brought in on a practice squad deal, offering the team flexibility without committing a 53-man roster spot right away. And if more injuries hit?
They’d already have a seasoned vet ready to step in.
There’s also something to be said about what Robinson could bring to the locker room. He’s been through playoff pushes, he’s played in big games, and he knows what it takes to navigate the grind of December football. For a team still trying to find its offensive rhythm under a new head coach, that kind of presence can be just as valuable as a third-down conversion.
No, Allen Robinson isn’t going to single-handedly carry the Bears to a Super Bowl. But in a league where depth is everything and injuries can derail even the most promising seasons, having a guy who’s been there before-and who still wants to contribute-might be exactly what the Bears need in the short term.
It’s a low-risk, potentially high-reward move that general manager Ryan Poles and the front office would be wise to consider. The Bears don’t need Robinson to be a star.
They just need him to be ready. And by all accounts, he is.