Allen Robinson was a notable free agent whiff when the Los Angeles Rams signed him in the 2022 offseason. Just how bad was the signing really? So bad that A-Rob to the Rams will live in infamy as one of Bleacher Report’s all-time free agent busts.
BR’s NFL Staff placed the signing at No. 16 on its list of the 50 biggest free agent busts. The outlet said that the Rams rolled the dice on Robinson in the “early stages of his decline,” which proved costly for the organization:
“In 2021, the Bears were
wary about giving Robinson a long-term contract after he caught 102 passes for 1,250 yards and six touchdowns in his age-27 season. They franchise-tagged him, and he showed notable decline, registering only 38 receptions for 410 yards and a touchdown in 2021.
Despite that, the Rams signed Robinson to a three-year, $46.5 million contract in 2022. The following season, Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford missed eight games due to injury, and Robinson finished fourth on the team in catches and fifth in receiving yards.”
Robinson seemed like a luxury addition when the Rams signed him. During his last season in Chicago, it appeared that the Bears’ awful quarterback play was holding him back. Turned out, he had a significant hand in the poor production, something L.A.‘s front office discovered way too late.
The veteran wideout never caught on in Hollywood — a little receiver humor for you — amassing only 33 receptions for 339 yards and three touchdowns in 10 games with the Rams. In that span, he never had a 100-yard performance and was a non-factor in most games. Things were so bad that former QB Robert Griffin III called out the team for how Robinson was used.
There is blame to go around on all sides, but especially the Rams for signing a player clearly on the decline. Fortunately, the organization admitted its mistake the following offseason when he was traded to the Steelers for peanuts.
Los Angeles has continued taking its swings here and there in the ensuing offseasons. Yet you would have to wonder whether the Robinson bust rests on Les Snead’s mind whenever he makes a free agent signing. Up until last offseason, there haven’t been major free agent signings of note for the team.
Part of that is because of the Rams’ recent shift in roster-building mentality, which has involved acquiring young talent through the draft. However, Robinson’s lackluster tenure would give any good general manager pause before making any transaction, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t keep on swinging.
