A multiyear cog in Sean McVay’s machine, Demarcus Robinson is not leaving California. He will head north, however, as NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports the veteran wide receiver is joining the 49ers.
Robinson spent two seasons with the Rams, playing alongside Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp; that came not long after a lengthy run with the Chiefs — with whom he won a Super Bowl. The 49ers are adding the experienced pass-catcher on a two-year, $9.5M deal. He will be guaranteed $6M, The Athletic’s Jeff Howe notes.
The 49ers traded Deebo Samuel and may not have Brandon Aiyuk ready to go by Week 1. Robinson, 30, stands to have a shot at regular playing time alongside holdovers Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall. When Aiyuk returns, Robinson may slide to the WR4 role. Although, he maintained regular snaps with the Rams over the past two seasons.
Although the presence of Tutu Atwell stood to further diminish Robinson’s L.A. role, he did not see his starting job threatened, starting every Rams game last season. Robinson caught 31 passes for 505 yards and seven touchdowns. The 16.3-yard average doubled as a career-high number.
The Rams re-signed Robinson last year, giving him a one-year, $4M deal. The 49ers’ rate is comparable, but Samuel’s exit and Aiyuk’s rehab timeline open the door for some playing time. Although the Rams are jettisoning Cooper Kupp, they re-signed Atwell and gave Davante Adams a $26M guarantee Sunday night. That trio will lead the way in L.A., as Robinson — who spent six seasons with the Chiefs earlier in his career — attempts to keep going as a supporting-caster.
Robinson has four 400-plus-yard season on his resume, the first two coming in Kansas City and the third in Baltimore. The Florida alum has quietly scored 27 career touchdowns, having initially worked as an auxiliary Patrick Mahomes target during the Tyreek Hill–Travis Kelce heyday.
