Chicago Bears defensive end Dominique Robinson once spoke candidly about feeling as though he was running out of time with the franchise. That was just over one year ago. Just last week, Bears general manager Ryan Poles cited Robinson as an example for another player.
A fifth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, who has battled injuries during his career, Robinson has found his niche for the only franchise he has ever known.
He addressed that turnaround with Clocker Sports on Friday.
Bears DE Dominique Robinson Opens Up About Career Turnaround
Dominique Robinson Gained Bears’ Trust
Robinson has withstood multiple defensive coordinators and two head coaching changes. But the person who drafted him, Poles, remains in place. Still, Robinson has done his part to make a strong impression on the Bears’ coaching staff.
“Honestly, it’s just hard work. Being able to take advantage of all the opportunities that have been presented to me, whether I be on special teams or on defense. So, just doing the best that I can,” Robinson told Clocker Sports in reaction to Poles’ remarks on Friday.
“I know my role on this team, and I think I do my role to the best of my ability to anybody around the league. So, want to know the position and know the spot. I appreciate it, being that I am kind of the standard. But all it is is just learning the defense, and it’s nothing crazy.”
Robinson, 27, was part of the 2022 draft class that yielded starting defensive backs Jaquan Brisker and Kyler Gordon, former starting left tackle Braxton Jones, and reserve safety Elijah Hicks. He is one of seven players still on the roster from that season.
Robinson’s 10 total tackles are his most since 2023, and he has matched the career-high he set as a rookie with 1.5 sacks.
Robinson has every intention of continuing his resurgent season.
“I have goals to complete, personal goals that I have to complete, and I’m not too far away from those goals,” Robinson told Clocker Sports. “Just continue to do what I’m doing. Work hard. Come in, get extra work out in practice like I usually do. Heal this ankle to the best of my ability. So, just keep going.”
Robinson told Clocker Sports he was keeping his goals personal, at least for now. He said he would share them “at the end of the season, when they’re reached.”
Dominique Robinson Key for Retooled D-Line
Poles cited length and athleticism when discussing what the Bears liked about trade deadline acquisition Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, naming Robinson as someone in the same mold.
Robinson’s turnaround showed before that, though. He was one of the players Bears head coach Ben Johnson said stood out during the offseason program. Moreover, he has thrived under defensive coordinator Dennis Allen.
Then, Robinson suffered an ankle injury, sidelining him for two games. The Bears missed Robinson amid a slew of injuries to their front, particularly at DE.
Starter Dayo Odeyingbo is out for the season after tearing his Achilles tendon. The Bears got 2024 fifth-rounder Austin Booker back in Week 9 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Booker started against the New York Giants.
However, rookie second-round pick Shemar Turner, whom the Bears drafted to play inside but moved outside to help shore up the run defense, tore his ACL and is also out for the season. Fortunately for the Bears, Robinson said he is “feeling good.”
Dominique Robinson on Speedy Recovery: ‘God Blessed Me’
Robinson practiced in full for the Bears on Thursday and Friday. He does not carry an injury designation into the Bears’ rematch against the Minnesota Vikings.
“For an injury that’s supposed to take four to six weeks, I think I’m pretty far ahead of what people would have thought or what the normal person would take for this kind of injury. It’s a high ankle sprain. So, to get rolled up on, honestly, God blessed me,” Robinson told Clocker Sports.
“Even the trainer said that if I had my foot in the ground maybe a second longer, [it] probably could have been, or definitely would have been, way worse. But I moved my foot at the right time. So, I’m thankful that it wasn’t worse than what it was. So, I’m blessed.”