Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune has stayed on top of the Jeffery news for months. After talking with several different sources, it seems a picture has begun to emerge. One that is sure to frighten more than a few Bears fans ahead of the 2017 season.
“It seems unlikely the Bears will get a pre-emptive deal done with Alshon Jeffery to keep their biggest star coming out of contract from reaching free agency. Deals like the Browns did with Collins are rare after the season ends. Players are less than two months away from reaching the open market. That’s a sure sign Collins knew the Browns were delivering the moon and several stars to him, paying more than he could command after the start of the new league year.
The Bears couldn’t bridge the gap with Jeffery on a multi-year contract last year to avoid the franchise tag and multiple sources said it’s unlikely something happens this year without the former Pro Bowl performer at least being able to see what else might be available. That’s where things could get very pricey very quickly. Before you wonder if that could really happen, remember free agency is where Olivier Vernon found a contract larger than the one J.J. Watt has a year ago.”
It’s understandable that people fear Jeffery won’t be back if he hits the open market. Keep in mind that the San Francisco 49ers, Tennessee Titans, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers all have considerable needs at the receiver position. They also have something else in common. Each has more salary cap space to spend in 2017 free agency. So it’s unlikely the Bears would be able to outbid any of them, even if they wanted to.
Current estimates around Jeffery say he will command somewhere in the $14 million range, similar to Dez Bryant and Demaryius Thomas. The idea is he’ll go to the open market and see if somebody might pay more. It only takes one team desperate enough to do so. GM Ryan Pace has made it clear from every deal he’s made that he’s not going to overpay for any player he doesn’t feel is worth it.
