[Haden]

LINK: https://www.nfl.com/news/rams-give-vete ... ek-a-trade

Rams give veteran WR Allen Robinson permission to seek a trade
Published: Mar 06, 2023 at 07:36 AM
Kevin Patra
Around the NFL Writer

The L.A. Rams' big acquisition last offseason could be on the move in 2023.

NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported Monday morning that the Rams have given Allen Robinson's agents permission to seek a trade, per sources informed of the situation. Pelissero added that L.A. is willing to pay a portion of Robinson's $15.25 million guaranteed salary to facilitate a deal.

Robinson signed a three-year, $46.5 million contract with the Rams, including $30.25 million guaranteed. There is no guaranteed money on the deal in 2024.

L.A. appeared to be the ideal place for Robinson to get back on track after a dismal 2021 in Chicago, dealing with injuries and struggling QB play. Sliding next to Cooper Kupp, the Rams viewed Robinson as a veteran who could win on intermediate routes and help open up the offense.

It didn't happen as planned.

Robinson struggled to gain separation from defenders and never found a rapport with Matthew Stafford. The wideout also dealt with injuries, catching a measly 33 passes for 339 yards and 3 touchdowns in 10 games before being shut down for the season. The 29-year-old generated just three games over the 50-yard mark with a season-high 63 in Week 6.

After back-to-back subpar seasons, the two main questions in facilitating a trade out of L.A. are how much an acquiring team believes Robinson has left in the tank and how much money the Rams are willing to eat to make a swap happen.

With a shortage of proven veteran options hitting the open market this offseason, clubs could look to the trade market to retool their receiver corps. Perhaps Robinson isn't the back-to-back 1,000-plus yard receiver we saw in 2019-2020, but a team could talk themselves into the still-under-30-year-old making a turnaround.

Between trade chatter regarding Jalen Ramsey and now Robinson possibly on the move, significant changes appear on the horizon in L.A.

[Elvis]

I know he didn't do anything last year but none of the offense did, thought he had a real shot to be a big factor in 2023 but does not appear the Rams see it that way...

[actionjack]

I know he didn't do anything last year but none of the offense did, thought he had a real shot to be a big factor in 2023 but does not appear the Rams see it that way...

He definitely suffered along with the rest of the offense but it still looked like a awkward fit. I was also hoping an off season with Stafford would fix it, but the Rams must feel he isnt worth the money. He sure looked slow out there...

[Hacksaw]

I know he didn't do anything last year but none of the offense did, thought he had a real shot to be a big factor in 2023 but does not appear the Rams see it that way...

Stafford couldn't seem to connect with the dude but I think the real problem now is just the money. They're hand fi$ted. They need to get rid of good guys to make a more fluid process of growth. I hope they choose well...

[Indrid Cold]

Robinson had 339 yards and three touchdowns in 10 games, which is only 41 more yards than Tutu Atwell had in 258 fewer snaps than Robinson. Not saying Atwell is his replacement, but if we can dump this bum and his future cap charges, do it.

[Elvis]

Robinson had 339 yards and three touchdowns in 10 games, which is only 41 more yards than Tutu Atwell had in 258 fewer snaps than Robinson. Not saying Atwell is his replacement, but if we can dump this bum and his future cap charges, do it.

Plus it would be fun to see Tutu become a legitimate weapon...

[PARAM]

Here's an article from today:

Allen Robinson is still on Rams trade block
3 weeks have passed since trade request with no resolution in sight...

Three weeks ago, the Los Angeles Rams granted Allen Robinson II permission to seek a trade with other franchises. Allen Robinson II and his representation were the ones that approached Los Angeles about a change in scenery after the wide receiver’s disappointing 2022 season with the team.

The Rams were not actively shopping Robinson II prior to the trade request, but after the meeting between both parties, the wideout remains on the trade block. Both sides clearly dropped the ball in last year’s signing with the role for the veteran receiver being much different than anticipated. The vision that Los Angeles sold to Allen Robinson’s camp was clearly different than the outcome of 2022.

As Los Angeles awaits for a suitor, Allen Robinson’s career hangs in the balance. The injury prone wideout has now posted back-to-back seasons of poor volume. Now entering his age-30 season, it may be too late for Robinson to resurrect the production he amassed from 2014-2016 and 2018-2020.

With no sign of an imminent deal, the Rams may need to entice a few organizations by dangling a draft pick attached to Allen Robinson. The Rams played a similar strategy with Aqib Talib in 2019, when they traded him to the Miami Dolphins before the end of the year.

3 teams could be interested in Allen Robinson...
Baltimore Ravens

Whether the Ravens keep Lamar Jackson or not, they need reinforcements in the wide receivers room. Nelson Agholor is not going to incite fear into the hearts of defensive players. If Lamar does return, Robinson is a great option because he can work outside the hashes very well. Lamar is not a great passing quarterback across the middle so this fits Baltimore’s offensive scheme.

Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs have now lost Tyreek Hills (via trade) to the Miami Dolphins and JuJu Smith-Schuster (free agency) to the New England Patriots in consecutive years. They may be content with just drafting young options in the draft, but rookies can easily frustrate a quarterback with drops, playbook knowledge, and inexperience against NFL competition. Robinson would give Patrick Mahomes an option that win back shoulder throws and high point jump balls.

Cleveland Browns

The Browns went all-in on DeShaun Watson and they may need to give him more weapons other than Amari Cooper. With no first round pick in 2023, the Browns may be inclined to take on Allen Robinson’s contract while also receiving a mid-late round draft pick to fill out their depth chart.

A deal may not take place until the NFL Draft or even afterwards. For the time being, all is quiet on the home front surrounding the Rams initiative to move on from the disgruntled veteran…

Looking over the cap websites, if the Rams trade him, it'll be 11.2 in dead money and a 6.85 mil savings. He and his agent approached the Rams so the ball is in his court. I don't know if the Rams can ask and recoup some of the bonus money (and cap relief) but even if they can't, it beats keeping a disgruntled player. Of course, there isn't any news on teams inquiring about a trade so.......

[Rams1PlateSince1976]

He made about $45,000 per reception yard with the Rams. Good work if you can get it.

[Hacksaw]

Right? Begging out makes it feel as if these players don't want to waste a piece of their career, , especially the older vets at the end if theirs. .

[HarRam]

What I don't understand is how anyone can expect Matthew Stafford and Allen Robinson to develop any rapport when the time isn't put in on the practice field.

IIRC, Stafford sat out a lot of preseason practices and was on a pass-count to save his arm and certainly didn't take the field in pre-season games to develop that rapport with any receiver, much less Robinson. Then once the season started, all hell broke loose when offensive lineman started dropping like flies. Every passing down was an adventure for Stafford and ultimately lead to his being injured. So, in the heat of the ever-shrinking time in the pocket, Stafford turned to his reliable connection--CKupp.

So, I wouldn't necessarily write off Allen Robinson. But of course, I'm not there at practices or off-season training, so I don't know how serious Robinson is about improving his game.