LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) -- Had it not been for the infamous double-doink field-goal miss in the Bears' wild-card round loss to the Eagles last January, perhaps the lasting image from that day would've been the connection between quarterback Mitchell Trubisky and top target Allen Robinson.
Robinson spent the months after signing a three-year, $42-million contract with the Bears in March 2018 getting himself back up to speed after recovering from a torn ACL, then establishing a dynamic with Trubisky as the season progressed. It wasn't until the end when the rapport was revealed, as Robinson had 10 catches for 143 yards and a touchdown in the playoff loss.
Now, Robinson is entering his second season with the Bears with more comfort in the offense, good health and a quality connection with Trubisky.
"When he's healthy and he's full-go, he can be unstoppable out there," Trubisky said recently. "If you just put the ball up in his area, he's going to go up and make plays. I have a lot of confidence within myself, with (the) chemistry."
Back in 2015, Robinson produced like a top-tier NFL receiver. He had 80 receptions for 1,400 yards and 14 touchdowns with the Jaguars. The numbers dropped in 2016 -- 73 catches, 883 yards and six touchdowns -- before the torn ACL suffered on his first target and catch of the 2017 season ended that campaign.
Robinson had 55 receptions for 754 yards and four touchdowns in 13 regular-season games in 2018, his first year with the Bears. He suffered a groin injury in October and a rib injury in December, costing him three games.
Trubisky and Robinson picked up their connection quickly after the offseason and can now sense the difference. Robinson is "playing with more confidence," as offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich put it.
"We're able to take things to the next level," Robinson said. "We're able to attack the defense. We're able to dictate different things. We're able to play within the offense and have everything at our helm."
How does that confidence translate to the field? Robinson can play at his full speed, moving through his routes and cuts with more comfort in the playbook. He can trust his timing with Trubisky and know the football will be placed on the spot they've worked on time and time again.
The production in Robinson's past offers a belief in his potential this season. And the dynamic he and Trubisky have formed have them excited about what's to come.
"If I put it up in his area," Trubisky said, "12 is going to come down with it."
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
