Dominique Robinson says Chase Young was big reason why he switched to defense

Chicago Bears fourth-round pick Dominique Robinson doesn’t have a long resume as a pass-rusher. He isn’t entering the NFL with a graveyard of quarterback sacks left behind. In fact, he only has one full season of experience on defense, and his projection as an NFL edge rusher is just that… a projection.

But some projections are safer than others. Robinson did have 4.5 sacks in 2021 and he fared well at the Senior Bowl despite his inexperience.

“I would say there is some rawness to him, but this kid can rush the passer,” Bears area scout Brendan Rehor said last month. “I think he showed this at the Senior Bowl. That was really where he made, I thought, his biggest step where he [showed he] belonged.”

For Robinson, the lightbulb went on while watching Washington Commanders’ star defender, Chase Young, during the 2019 college football season.

‘‘So that was in the back of my head, and I’m going through the 2019 season at wide receiver — it wasn’t going my way,’’ Robinson said Saturday. ‘‘I love watching college football, so I’m watching Chase Young just run around people. So I’m like, ‘Man, if I can’t do that, there’s something wrong with me.’ That’s what kind of pushed me to that.’’

Dominique Robinson has chance to play right away

The rest is history. Robinson now joins a Bears depth chart that will afford him opportunities to get on the field early in his rookie season. General Manager Ryan Poles’ decision to trade edge rusher, Khalil Mack, to the Los Angeles Chargers has created a need for one of Chicago’s young pass rushers to step up opposite Robert Quinn.

Trevis Gipson will get the first crack at being that guy, and he should do well. I don’t see a scenario in which Robinson unseats Gipson on passing downs. The Bears signed Al-Quadin Muhammad to a two-year, $8 million contract in free agency, and while his paycheck isn’t necessarily starter’s money, his familiarity with Head Coach Matt Eberflus’ defense will give him a leg up for meaningful snaps.

But after that primary three, it’s Robinson who’ll be the next man up. And with Quinn’s injury history, there’s no telling how soon or how often his number will be called.

“We’re not going to limit him, and say, ‘You know what, he hadn’t played defensive end very long, so we ’re only going to do this,’” said defensive coordinator Alan Williams. “With all our guys, we’re going to give them very specific roles, see how far they can take it, and then let them do it on Sundays.’