When the Los Angeles Rams signed Allen Robinson to a three-year, $46.5 million contract in free agency last offseason, the hope was that he would be able to help replace the production lost by Odell Backham Jr. and Robert Woods.
Unfortunately though, the signing didn’t work out how either party had hoped as Robinson was not able to develop chemistry with Matthew Stafford during the offseason due to the latter’s elbow injury.
Robinson himself was limited to 10 games due to a season-ending foot injury, but even when he did play he was not productive as he had just 33 catches for 339 yards and three touchdowns.
With the Rams looking to clear salary cap space this offseason, they gave Robinson permission to seek a trade. He still has two years remaining on his lucrative contract, so the Rams were believed to be willing to pay down some of that in order to facilitate a deal.
It appears Robinson has finally found a new home as Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported that he will be traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers pending a physical.
The #Steelers are working to finalize a trade to acquire veteran WR Allen Robinson from the #Rams and have been granted permission to give him a physical, per sources.
If the Steelers are comfortable with the physical, Robinson is expected to land in Pittsburgh. pic.twitter.com/AIm6BMox7l
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 18, 2023
Full terms: The #Rams send Allen Robinson and a 2023 seventh-round pick (No. 251) to the #Steelers for a 2023 seventh-round pick (No. 234).
Pittsburgh picks up $5 million of Robinson's 2023 compensation, with L.A. paying the other $10.25M. https://t.co/eJpSdRZkp1
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 18, 2023
According to Dianna Russini of ESPN, the trade is complete and Robinson has been notified:
Robinson was in the Rams building today and obviously left when he was informed, per source. https://t.co/W1WRqcCkXw
— Dianna Russini (@diannaESPN) April 18, 2023
This feels like the best outcome for both sides as Robinson can get a fresh start in Pittsburgh while the Rams clear his long-term money off the books.
The draft compensation isn’t much, which makes sense given Robinson’s lack of production even if the Rams are eating $10 million on the contract.
Regardless though, the Rams are subtracting yet another veteran from their roster as they get their salary cap back in order for 2024 and beyond.
Outside of Cooper Kupp, the Rams’ wide receiver room is looking quite weak with only Van Jefferson, Ben Skowronek, Tutu Atwell and Lance McCutcheon under contract. That could be something L.A. addresses in the draft or with whatever salary cap savings they get from the Robinson trade.
