Steelers’ acquisition of Allen Robinson in no way controversial
While Omar Khan and the Pittsburgh Steelers were working yet another free agent deal, fans and pundits – including Pittsburgh media insiders – were already striking keyboards and pounding social media calling the signing of veteran wide receiver Allen Robinson II “controversial,” a terrible decision because the receiver “is shot,” “horrible,” “washed up,” and bemoaning nearly every aspect of what others are calling an absolute fleecing by the Steelers of the Los Angeles Rams in the deal.
Because a controversy drives debate, the discussions continue although we’d like to present why Robinson’s acquisition is in no way controversial and is, in fact, nearly a steal of a deal.
What has sparked the unnecessary debates
In 2014, the Jacksonville Jaguars traded the 70th and 150th pick in the NFL Draft to move up to pick 61 to grab Robinson; the former Penn State wideout had put back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons together and earned 2012 and 2013 Big Ten receiver of the year awards. Jacksonville went 2-14 and 4-12 those same seasons. They hadn’t had a 1,000 yard receiver since Jimmy Smith, who was out of the NFL following the 2005 season.
In 2015, Robinson became a starter and, despite the Jaguars finishing with a 5-11 record, gained 1,400 yards on 80 receptions for 14 touchdowns. His performance earned him a trip to the Pro Bowl. In 2016, Jacksonville went 3-13 and then Robinson was available for just one game the next season due to injury.
With the Chicago Bears, Robinson had over 1,000 yards receiving in two-of-four seasons while his team posted the following records: 12-4 with a wildcard playoff loss (2018), 8-8 (2019), 8-8 (2020), and 6-11 (2021). The quarterback Robinson played with the most (in-game snaps) in Chicago: Mitchell Trubisky.
When Robinson went to the Rams in 2022, he was still highly valued, and Los Angeles gave him a three-year, $46.5 million deal. Unfortunately, Robinson suffered a foot injury that forced him onto injured-reserved after being limited in 10 games on a Rams offense that was riddled with injuries and struggled greatly, even with Matthew Stafford at quarterback — just one season removed from the Super Bowl.
At the time, Skyler Carlin (Rams Wire) wrote:
“A lack of practice time with Matthew Stafford in the offseason and injuries to the offensive line could have led to Robinson struggles in the offense and he’ll look to have a bounce-back year in 2023.”
This week, a counterpart to Carlin – Cameron DaSilva – put the following headline above an article in which he admitted Robinson had no fault in requiring season-ending surgery: “Allen Robinson turned out to be one of Les Snead’s worst free-agent signings,” and wrote:
“There was so much hype around him last summer, too. He was making eye-popping catches in training camp and receiving rave reviews for his character and work ethic in practice and meetings. But it simply didn’t work out.”
These are mere examples of what has become a campaign built on the idea that Robinson has no value as a receiver in the NFL. Many individuals who are thrumming those strings were petitioning for the Steelers to sign Odell Beckham Jr., who last played with the Cleveland Browns and Los Angeles Rams in 2021.
The real deal
The Steelers were willing to give the Rams the 234th pick (seventh round) in the 2023 NFL Draft in exchange for Robinson and the 251st pick in this year’s draft. The Rams moved up. Pittsburgh moved down in a round many consider irrelevant and are only on the hook for $5 million while Los Angeles must still pay the veteran receiver $10.25 million.
Most accountants would tell you that was a remarkable deal. Why not accept the win?
Let’s go back to the OBJ petitioners. The ones who are dogs to the bone on how big of a mistake it was that the Steelers didn’t grab him.
Beckham’s career receiving records (2014-21) are 7,367 yards on 531 receptions for 56 touchdowns. By comparison, Robinson’s records (2014-22) are 6,748 yards on 528 receptions for 43 touchdowns. Side by side, it’s hard to say there’s much difference between the two receivers, statistically, on paper. Yet, ask around and you’ll likely be told how much better OBJ is, period.
What is the contract Beckham is receiving by going to the Baltimore Ravens? If he thinks he’s the G.O.A.T., like many NFL insiders and fans believe, it’s going to be for much more than $5 million, right?
According to Spotrac, OBJ will earn a 2023 base salary of $1,165,000 plus a signing bonus of $12,835,000 while carrying a cap hot of $3,932,000 and a dead cap value of $15,000,000. There are other incentives written into the deal that you can view on Spotrac’s site. In other words, the Steelers moved back 16 spots in a round where most players drafted don’t make the team, and are paying only one-third of the veteran receiver’s salary: that sounds like a bargain compared to Beckham.
Hopefully, Steelers fans can see why Robinson is not only a cheaper solution as a veteran addition to the wide receivers group but also a safer move. Should he not work out, the Steelers kept a draft pick and can easily move on without taking a major monetary hit.
Steven Sims had less experience in the NFL and a lot less production in four seasons than Robinson, but wasn’t shredded by the media or pundits in similar fashion. The Steelers added Sims to the mix with Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool in order to acclimate George Pickens (and Calvin Austin III, they hoped) into a rookie season, and add depth. Austin missed the season, so Sims stuck.
Sims’ cost is less ($1,098,622 per Spotrac) than Robinson, but Sims contributed just 14 receptions for 104 yards and no touchdowns on offense for Pittsburgh. He was never intended to be the Steelers’ WR1 or WR2. Never. Comparing Sims to Robinson is apples to oranges, in the case of value in this equation. They’re not the same; not even close.
Debunking the narratives
The Steelers had interest in adding Robinson in 2021, per Jeremy Fowler. Is that a surprise, really? Penn State alum. Upgrade over what they had in depth.
Allen Robinson has passed his physical in Pittsburgh, the trade with the Rams is now official. Allen Robinson is a Pittsburgh Steeler, per sources.
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) April 19, 2023
Robinson opens things up for the Steelers in multiple ways. His experience is invaluable as Pittsburgh works Austin III in, continues to build the rapport Kenny Pickett has with Pickens and Johnson. He also saves the organization from feeling pressure to use a pick in this year’s NFL Draft if they feel other areas are more pressing in addressing.
Add to all of that the potential that the Steelers find a rookie free agent receiver to work out, or two. With Johnson currently the most veteran receiver outside of Robinson, the deal looks sweeter and sweeter.
There’s no controversy in the Steelers trading for Robinson. It’s time to see what the team does in the draft and then anticipate seeing him in action this spring and summer.
