Tuesday 13 March 2018 15:32, UK
The Chicago Bears look to have won the race for Allen Robinson - one of the premier receivers available in Free Agency.
Robinson was surprisingly overlooked for the franchise tag tender from his current team Jacksonville and multiple reports have now emerged suggesting he intends to sign for the Bears.
ESPN's Adam Schefter first reported the news early Tuesday morning which was followed up by the network's Josina Anderson reporting the terms of the expected three-year deal worth $42million, an annual average that would tie for eighth-largest among current wideout contracts.
Robinson is recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, which sidelined him for all but three plays of the 2017 season. However, he has proven talent with more than 2,200 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns from 2015-16.
The 24-year-old, a second-round pick for the Jaguars in 2014, earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2015 after setting a franchise record with 14 TD catches.
The Chicago Tribune reported late Monday evening that the Bears - seeking a major upgrade at the position - considered Sammy Watkins of the Los Angeles Rams to be the top available wideout in free agency, but they've been rumoured to have interest in Robinson for weeks.
Robinson told Patrick Claybon of NFL Network on Monday that he could play in "pretty much any scheme" and that the respective quarterback situations of his suitors would be a factor in his decision.
He will now become the top target for 2017 No. 2 overall pick Mitchell Trubisky, who struggled as a rookie with limited weapons at his disposal.
There was more good news for Bears on Tuesday, with Chicago winning the race to sign former Philadelphia Eagles tight end Trey Burton.
According to NFL Network, the deal for Burton is worth $32m over four years.
Burton's average of $8m per year makes him the NFL's fifth highest-paid tight end behind Travis Kelce ($9.4m), Jordan Reed ($9.35m), Rob Gronkowski ($9m) and Zach Ertz ($8.5m).
Burton, 26, had 23 catches for 248 yards and five touchdowns last season for the Eagles.
There is much to play out over the coming days. Strap yourself in for what should be the wildest week of the 2018 off-season and make sure you join Neil Reynolds on SkySports.com from 7.30pm on Wednesday who will join our live blog through the opening hours of the new league year.
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