As we get closer and closer to he start of the new league year in the National Football League, teams are already well underway in terms of cutting salary and getting rid of guys who just don’t serve their needs any longer. The Pittsburgh Steelers were among the first to get the ball rolling when they released Mitchell Trubisky, Mason Cole and Chuks Okorafor weeks ago. One name I anticipate will join that list is receiver Allen Robinson II.
Acquired last season in a trade with the LA Rams, Robinson was expected to take on several roles with the Steelers. No role was more important than that of leadership. With relatively young guys in the receivers’ room like George Pickens, Diontae Johnson and Calvin Austin III, it seemed only natural to add a veteran like Robinson. One of his other roles – not surprisingly – was to also be a contributor on offense.
Unfortunately neither of these things worked out to the levels expected and now the Steelers have a decision I find all too easy. Robinson’s cap number for this year is just shy of $12 million and there is no way the Steelers should retain this. In 2023, Robinson played 72% of the snaps on offense and caught 34 balls for an average of 8.2 yards per catch and zero touchdowns.
Robinson was a more than capable blocker, mostly from the slot, but he was also not a guy that defenses accounted for in any way. The Steelers have to find a slot receiver who can both block and be a threat and I’m not certain that person is on this roster. When Robinson did make receptions, he was very little threat to do anything with the ball making him even less potent in the offense.
As for the all important leadership in the receivers’ room… I’m not going to say he didn’t provide that but both Pickens and Johnson had their moments of immaturity leading me to believe that Robinson had very little influence on these guys. That’s not a knock on Robinson in any capacity. My understanding is that he is as professional as they come and was always willing to chat with reporters.
That’s nice and all, but this is a results oriented business and what the Steelers got out of Robinson is not worth keeping him at his current price. Would he stay on for the veteran minimum? Perhaps but that doesn’t take away the fact that his best days as a receiving threat are behind him. Omar Khan needs to move on from Robinson and that contract and look to the future at that position.
