Robinson re-emerged as one of the NFL's top receivers in 2019, making a career-high 98 catches for 1,147 yards and seven touchdowns. After suffering a torn ACL in 2017, Robinson has regained the top form that he had in Jacksonville before signing with Chicago in 2018.
With the 26-year-old Robinson performing at a high level, the Bears would be wise to pursue an extension as his contract season looms in 2020.
That's just one of many matters of business that the Bears face at receiver.
About two years ago, the Bears paid $39.2 million guaranteed to Robinson and Gabriel and then drafted Miller in the second round and Wims in the seventh. It represented a heavy investment to fill the void at receiver.
Robinson has outperformed his contract after two seasons, but the Bears need to take inventory of their depth behind him.
Miller was a non-factor for the first nine games of the season before a late surge in which he recorded 33 catches in a five-game stretch. For a player who has long struggled to master his assignments, it appeared to be progress.
Miller needed surgery on his left shoulder for a second straight offseason, but he left a positive impression before the season was over.
"He's a young player that still is trying to learn the offense, gain trust with the quarterback," general manager Ryan Pace said. "I just think as the season went on, that increased. He got more comfortable. His dedication to learning it in meetings, away from the facility, I think you felt that. When Anthony knows what he's doing on offense, he plays so fast. He can be such a dynamic part of what we're doing. That's important going forward."
The Bears' hope is that youngsters Ridley and Wims can showcase similar growth to what Miller displayed last season. A fourth-round pick in 2019, Ridley struggled to earn the trust of his coaches in his rookie season. He was active in just five games, recording six catches. Wims caught 18 passes but played in more than half of the Bears' offensive snaps in just five of their games.
If the Bears are confident in their receiver depth, they could release the veteran Gabriel, who suffered two concussions last season. By releasing Gabriel, the Bears would open up $4.5 million in cap space and take on a $2-million dead cap hit.
Gabriel has been productive in his Bears tenure, recording 96 catches and six touchdowns in 25 games.
"I'll just say this, A-Rob is a pro. I'll just leave it at that. A-Rob, he's special. A-Rob, he's unbelievable. Unbelievable. That word 'snub.' A-Rob is unbelievable and needs to be in the Pro Bowl."
-- Bears coach Matt Nagy after Allen Robinson was snubbed from the Pro Bowl
When the Bears signed Pro Bowl safety Eddie Jackson to a lucrative contract extension in early January, it opened the door for Robinson to be next in line as a key order of business this offseason.
The Bears signed Robinson to a three-year, $42-million deal in March 2018, when he was continuing to rehab a torn ACL. They believed Robinson would prove to be a Pro Bowl-level talent once again. Though he didn't receive an invitation to Orlando, Robinson's numbers were similar to those of other Pro Bowl receivers.
Now the Bears will be tasked with paying Robinson like a Pro Bowl receiver if they want to keep him for the long term. Ahead of the 2017 season, Texans star receiver DeAndre Hopkins signed a five-year deal worth up to $81 million and with $49 million guaranteed. Robinson may be in line for a contract in that ballpark.
Given the Bears have so many offensive issues and Robinson has been so steady, it would seem foolish to not pay him his worth as a top receiver.
The Bears could also look to add another proven receiver to press the young players on their roster and offer comfort for quarterback Mitchell Trubisky. A player like Danny Amendola or Randall Cobb could offer a sure-handed target for the offense.
The new league year begins March 18, at which point the Bears' receiver position will become more clear.