Dominique Robinson’s growth in the Chicago Bears’ new defense under Dennis Allen could be pivotal heading into the 2025 season

Even though he's entering his third year in the NFL with 34 career games under his belt, Robinson is still relatively new to the defensive end position. Robinson played quarterback in high school and started out in college at wide receiver before switching to the defensive line his last two seasons.

His first year in Chicago was really his first season playing the defensive end position, so of course there's been a lot of "growth" and "trail and error" Robinson's had to go through.

Physically, he fits all the tools needed to play the position in the NFL and is the ideal fit for Allen's scheme as a pass rusher off the edge. Now it's just about fully unlocking his abilities on the field.

"The thing that's impressed me the most is just the way that he's starting to improve playing the defensive end position," Allen explained. "He wasn't a defensive end in college and so he's still getting used to playing that position. But, man, he comes in everyday, he comes to work, he's got a growth mindset, and he continues to get better everyday."

Heading into Week 1 against the Minnesota Vikings, Robinson is listed as the team's backup defensive end behind Montez Sweat and Dayo Odeyingbo after the team placed second-year edge rusher Austin Booker on the short-term injured reserve.

It's a big role to have, especially in this new system, with how Allen plans to mix around his defensive lineman to create different looks up-front. Robinson's versatility will be a big asset in that regard and the team will be looking to see all the growth show up on the field and on the stat sheet in 2025.

Robinson will be playing with some extra motivation as well going into the final year of his rookie contract. A big showing in 2025 will go a long way toward landing a second contract with the Bears.