With Brandon Marshall off to the New York Jets and Kevin White drafted in the first-round of the 2015 NFL Draft, the assumption in and around the Chicago Bears franchise has been that White was essentially brought onboard to replace Marshall's consistently prodigious 100-catches-per-season production in the Bears passing game.
It seems though, that Bears quarterback Jay Cutler is expecting another member of the Chicago receiving corps to take over the lead role for the franchise at wideout - former second-round pick Alshon Jeffery.
"I don't see why [Jeffery can't be the No. 1]," Cutler said recently, via Jeff Dickerson of ESPN."He makes big plays for us, he knows the offense, he's a big target, and I think more importantly that's the guy he wants to become. He wants to become the No. 1 everyday out here, and he's taking the proper steps.
"He's always been a quiet guy, but anytime you put on film or see him work in the weight room or on the field, you can't deny that. It inspires the receivers, myself and everyone else to work as hard as he's working."
After just three years in the NFL, Jeffery has amassed 2,921-yards receiving, good enough for second in the receiver-starved Bears franchise history. He finished 2014 with 85 receptions for 1,133 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Recent free agent addition Eddie Royal and holdover Marquess Wilson look likely for some significant playing time, but it seems Jeffery has become the clear leader of a group that, on paper, doesn't seem to boast the same type of talent as least season, especially with White not currently practicing.
"Yeah, it's a little shorter group, but it's good guys," Cutler said. "Alshon, I think he's having a heck of a camp, Eddie is solid every day and I think Wilson is back on track to where he was last training camp, progressing every day and making big plays for us. We're confident with this group. We're kind of feeling out who four and five will be. Kevin is doing a good job for us, picking up the offense, he's got a bright future in front of him as well."
New Bears head coach John Fox wouldn't divulge the nature of White's injury - "Everybody's day to day with me," Fox said, via Rich Campbell of The Chicago Tribune - but it didn't sound like he was particularly concerned, which is good news for a Bears team that needs every playmaker they can get if they're going to keep pace with the score-at-will Packers, a suddenly promising Vikings team and a Lions squad who almost beat the Cowboys in the playoffs last year in a very strong and competitive NFC North and facing at least another season of quarterback play from a suddenly flagging Cutler.
