Allen Robinson Bio
Allen Bernard Robinson II (born August 24, 1993, in Detroit, Michigan) is an American professional football player who serves as a wide receiver. A standout at Penn State, Robinson earned first-team All-American honors in 2013 before being selected in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. He earned a Pro Bowl berth following the 2015 season and has since played for multiple NFL franchises, most recently joining the Detroit Lions roster in 2024.
Early Life and Background
Allen Bernard Robinson II was born in Detroit and raised by his parents, Tracie Robinson and Allen Robinson Sr. He attended St. Mary’s Preparatory in Orchard Lake Village, Michigan, where he played football and competed in track and field. In his senior season he helped St. Mary’s reach the Division 3 State Championship game.
Robinson committed to Penn State on November 29, 2010, after being recruited by Penn State assistant coach Ron Vanderlinden. At Penn State he pursued a telecommunications major while developing into one of the Big Ten Conference’s most productive receivers.
Path to American Football
Robinson began his college career at Penn State in 2011, appearing in 12 games as a freshman and recording his first collegiate reception against Alabama. He assumed a primary role in 2012 under new head coach Bill O’Brien and emerged as the Nittany Lions’ leading receiver that season, topping the Big Ten in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns.
In 2013 Robinson posted a dominant junior season with 97 receptions for 1,432 yards and six touchdowns, earning first-team All-American recognition and his second consecutive Richter–Howard Receiver of the Year award. He declared for the 2014 NFL Draft after his junior year and entered the league as a second-round pick, selected 61st overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Allen Robinson Career
Early Career (2014)
Robinson signed a four-year rookie contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars following the 2014 draft and began the season as the fourth wide receiver on the depth chart. He recorded his first NFL receptions early in the year and made his first career start in Week 3, finishing his rookie season with 48 receptions for 548 receiving yards and two touchdowns despite a midseason stress fracture in his right foot that limited his availability.
The rookie year established Robinson as a developing NFL target with reliable hands and the ability to create separation. His early playing time set the stage for a breakout season in 2015 when he became a central figure in the Jaguars’ passing game.
Jacksonville Jaguars Breakthrough (2015–2017)
The 2015 season was a breakout campaign for Robinson. He recorded 80 receptions for 1,400 receiving yards and 14 receiving touchdowns, leading the Jaguars in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdown receptions and tying for the NFL lead in receiving touchdowns. His 90-yard touchdown reception that season was the longest play from scrimmage in franchise history and the longest in the NFL for 2015.
Robinson’s 2015 performance earned him a selection to the Pro Bowl as an alternate who replaced an injured player, and he was recognized by peers on the NFL Top 100 Players list for 2016. He and fellow receiver Allen Hurns formed a highly productive duo that drew national attention for Jacksonville’s passing attack.
Robinson continued to be a primary target in 2016, finishing with 73 receptions for 883 yards and six touchdowns. His 2017 season was cut short by a torn ACL suffered in Week 1, which ended his year and resulted in him being placed on injured reserve.
Chicago Bears Breakthrough (2018–2021)
Robinson signed a three-year, $42 million contract with the Chicago Bears in March 2018. He provided an immediate impact, finishing the 2018 season with 55 receptions for 754 yards and four touchdowns and setting franchise postseason marks in his playoff debut with 10 receptions and 143 receiving yards in the Wild Card game.
His production rose again over the next two seasons; Robinson reached the 1,000-yard mark in 2019 with 98 receptions for 1,147 yards and seven touchdowns. The following year, 2020, he posted a career-high 102 receptions for 1,250 receiving yards and six touchdowns, tying a franchise single-season mark for receptions. Those two seasons reinforced Robinson’s reputation as a top target in Chicago’s offense when healthy and integrated into the passing scheme.
In March 2021 the Bears placed the franchise tag on Robinson and he signed the one-year tender, but his production declined that season; he finished 2021 with 38 receptions for 410 yards and one touchdown in 12 games. The drop in output followed a period of injury and changes at quarterback and offensive personnel.
Los Angeles Rams Era (2022)
Robinson signed a three-year contract with the Los Angeles Rams in March 2022. He started the first 10 games of the season, catching 33 passes for 339 yards and three touchdowns before a foot injury required season-ending surgery. The Rams placed him on injured reserve following the surgery.
Pittsburgh Steelers Era (2023)
In April 2023 Robinson was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers in a swap of seventh-round picks. He started all 17 regular season games for the Steelers and finished the year with 34 receptions for 280 receiving yards. The Steelers released Robinson in March 2024.
New York Giants (2024)
Robinson signed with the New York Giants in May 2024 but was released by the team in late August 2024 during roster cutdowns. The brief stint did not produce regular-season statistics for the Giants.
Detroit Lions Era (2024–Present)
Robinson joined the Detroit Lions in August 2024 on their practice squad and was promoted to the active roster on September 26, 2024. He appeared in 12 games for the Lions during the 2024 season, finishing with three receptions for 30 yards as he continued to provide veteran depth at the wide receiver position.
Notable Events and Milestones
Robinson’s 2015 season stands as a career milestone, highlighted by his Pro Bowl recognition and a 90-yard touchdown that led the NFL in longest play from scrimmage that year. His back-to-back 1,000-yard campaigns in 2019 and 2020 with the Chicago Bears and his franchise postseason receiving records in a Bears Wild Card game are among his most notable professional performances.
Allen Robinson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Robinson was raised in Detroit by his parents, Tracie Robinson and Allen Robinson Sr., and has a sister named Ashley. His family background and early years in Michigan were formative to his athletic development and recruitment to Penn State.
Personal Life
While at Penn State Robinson majored in telecommunications and has shown interest in sportscasting and coaching after his playing career. He established the Within Reach Foundation while in Jacksonville, which supports educational programs for children, reflecting his community involvement off the field.
