Less than four years after a breakout season that earned Marcus Robinson a Pro Bowl alternate spot in 1999, and a fat new contract, the Chicago Bears on Wednesday released the veteran wide receiver.

The move had been anticipated since the end of the 2002 campaign, a year in which Robinson was limited to just two starts, and in which he registered but 21 catches for 244 yards. It culminated a stretch in which Robinson couldn't regain the form that made him one of the NFL's premier deep threats in '99.

Chicago officials had granted Robinson and agent Ken Sarnoff permission early in the offseason to seek trade possibilities. But most teams, including those interested in potentially acquiring the powerfully built receiver, did not want to trade for a player they knew would eventually be released.

There figure to be two or three franchises interested in Robinson now that he is on the open market and won't cost them nearly as much to sign. With his surgically repaired knee in good shape, Robinson presents a pretty intriguing veteran, even if he isn't quite as explosive as four years ago.

Two teams in need of a veteran wide receiver said on Wednesday afternoon they would consider signing Robinson to a minimum-salary contract with the ability to boost his earnings through incentives. "With very little risk, he would be worth a look," said one general manager.

The Bears will be rebated Robinson's scheduled $2 million base salary and their overall cap savings is approximately $2.6 million.

Robinson, 28, was a fourth-round pick of the Bears in 1997 and, after two seasons of injury and inactivity, he exploded in '99, catching 84 passes for 1,400 yards and nine touchdowns.

But he was placed on injured reserve in 2000 with a back ailment and then, in 2001, tore the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his left knee. In the past three seasons, the former South Carolina star has started in just 17 games, only six of them in the last two years.

His career totals include 187 receptions for 2,695 yards and 20 touchdowns. One alarming note is that his average yards per reception have dropped each year since '99, when he averaged 16.7 yards.

Robinson has started in 28 of 51 regular-season appearances.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.