2022 will be an important season for the Bears, with Matt Eberflus and Ryan Poles taking over as head coach and general manager, respectively. It will also be the first full year of Justin Fields being the undisputed starting quarterback. However, as Adam Jahns of The Athletic writes, they could very well find themselves without Pro Bowlers Allen Robinson and Akiem Hicks. 
Poles’ stated goal to “be selective in free agency” might not include Robinson or Hicks. The former has made it clear that he was not a fan of ex-HC Matt Nagy in particular, and of the offensive direction of the team more generally. The 28-year-old posted 38 catches for 410 yards and one touchdown last season, a far cry from his 1,100-plus yard seasons in the two previous campaigns.
Robinson signed his franchise tender last year, with many feeling it may be his final season in the Windy City. As Jahns writes, “aligning with a veteran quarterback is arguably in his best interests”, either as part of a long-term deal closer to the $14MM per year he originally agreed to in Chicago, or on a shorter pact to prove he can still play at an elite level.
As for Hicks, frustrations with the franchise could again be a deciding factor in his plans. As Jahns notes, even tough nearly the entire defensive staff has been replaced, the 32-year-old could look elsewhere on the open market – a stark turnaround from preseason reports that he was looking to stay in Chicago. With injuries becoming a concern in recent years, Hicks is still amongst the most disruptive interior linemen in the league, recording seven total sacks in the last two seasons. However, Jahns writes, “Hicks seemed to sense that his time was ending with the Bears” towards the end of the regular season. Regardless of where he ends up, Hicks will likely not be able to match the $12MM annual average he was making on his soon-to-be expired contract.
In the case of both players, Jahns predicts that they will leave in free agency, leaving the Bears to focus on other priorities, such as offensive linemen James Daniels. If Robinson and Hicks do depart, they will leave Chicago with plenty of cap space to work with, but also a significant number of additions needing to be made to rebound from 2021’s disappointing performance.
Thanks for playing but both will be overpaid wherever they go. Hicks has been basically worthless the last 2 years. Robinson was a victim of horrible coaching. But I hope he lands on his feet. Anyway, he’s not the answer for Fields at this point anyhow. Bring on the compensatory picks please, we need some. Daniels is worthless too, wouldn’t be sad to see Whitehair and Daniels gone they are horrible.
You misspelled “was a victim of terrible quarterbacking”
So aside from having contempt for the owners, front office execs, coaching staff and several players, unclemike is feeling that a couple of comp picks will rejuvenate the Bears?
I don’t think either player will be overpaid where ever they go, teams know hicks couldn’t stay on the field the last 2 years, and robinson was the victim of a coach purposely tryin to depress his market, that’s how stupid and worthless nagy and pace were and they can both go to hell….I wouldn’t mind them letting Daniels walk either, he’s fine but they have whitehair signed and borom has to move to guard because he is abysmal as a tackle
Robinson’s effort level last year was pretty bad. No rapport with Fields at all. Fresh starts will do them all well.
For a team that sucks and has like 4 draft picks this year any draft picks would help. Rejuvenate? That’s going to take a lot longer than just this year. You forgot contempt for the stadium, Park District and mayor. But otherwise totally accurate Lemon. As far as the people drafting the players, Crap shoot.
I can’t understand why you continue to be a Bears fan when nearly everything about them disgusts you…lol.
Who says I am anymore? I’m 65 and have been crapped on, watched embarrassing fools both own and run the team, Frozen in that stupid ice box by the lake and in general been lied to all those years. Why would I still be a fan?
Probably don’t have the Cap, but would love Hicks in Buffalo to shore up the run defense.
He wouldn’t fit in in Buffalo. He is far from a process guy McDermott and Beane like. Hicks is undisciplined and selfish. More personal fouls than sacks the last 3 years. He’s perfect for the Raiders not the Bills
Where did that come from? Hicks has been a stud for the Bears, a team player and has played hurt a lot the last 2 seasons. He’s not worth 12 million now, but he’ll have multiple suitors for his services.
Robinson is too big a risk to re-tender. Better to let someone else take a chance on him unless he’s going to accept a reasonable offer.
In Hicks’ case, he’s still good, but probably looks bad to Bears fans because he’s so much worse than he used to be. For a win now team that could use some muscle in the middle, he could help. Chargers make sense.
Poor Robinson. All those years of unbelievably bad QB luck, then he has his worst season in a walk year. It’s possible he’s falling off a cliff, but he could be a great bargain because of a poorly timed off year.
Daniels is intriguing. He didn’t work out like he was supposed to right away, but he’s also perfectly solid and hasn’t even turned 25 yet. An awful lot of teams could use a young plug and play guard.
Robinson apparently got sandbagged by Nagy and Pace in the last season which I think speaks volumes about both of them.
I would get rid of Jackson (I saw a lot of quit in him all season) and Cohen, the human injury who could not somehow even suit up for at least one game this season… bye bye, don’t let the door hit you where the good lord split ya.. cap be damned, send a message that sluffing off is not tolerated like with the last regime….