It appears GM Ryan Pace and head coach John Fox have finally reached their decision regarding wide receiver Alshon Jeffery. After months of waiting and debating, it appears the Chicago Bears are prepared to take their chances on offense without the 26-year old former Pro Bowler by letting him hit the free agent market this coming March.
#Bears are not expected to franchise Alshon Jeffery again at > $17M, sources say. A top WR on the market will generate lots of buzz in Indy
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 27, 2017
Perhaps there is still a fleeting hope that the two sides will work out a long-term extension, but that’s not likely. It’s been felt ever since last year that this Bears regime was lukewarm on Jeffery as a true #1 wide receiver. His durability issues and off-the-field actions did him no favors. In 2015 he missed seven games with various injuries. Then last season he skipped voluntary minicamps and also earned a four-game suspension for PED violations.
Though he still managed to post over 800 yards receiver in each of those years despite missing 11 total games, that clearly wasn’t enough for the Bears. At least not to consider paying him top wide receiver money which is expected to stretch north of $15 million. They seem to have confidence they can keep the offense effective without him.
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