Earlier this offseason, the Chicago Bears elected to use their franchise tag on wide receiver Alshon Jeffery, costing them around $15 million in 2016 if a long-term extension is not reached by the July 15 deadline. At the time, this was considered a precautionary move, with a new multi-year deal expected to be agreed upon soon. However, that no longer appears to be the case.
According to a recent report, the Bears are no longer pushing for a long-term deal. In fact, at this point, it is considered a "near certainty" that he'll play out the upcoming season under the franchise tag.
The two sides must be far apart on compensation following Jeffery's injury-plagued 2015 season. In the two years prior, Jeffery emerged as one of the top wide receivers in the game, averaging 87 catches and 1,277 yards. But he was limited to just nine games last year (54 catches, 807 yards, four ouchdowns) due to lingering leg issues.
Chicago wants Jeffery to prove that he can stay healthy before it commits significant financial resources to him in the long-term. But Jeffery understandably wants a deal done before the season and is staying away from OTAs to make his point. The wide receiver is still expected at the team's mandatory minicamp in mid-June and at training camp in July.
Jeffery may actually benefit from playing out 2016 under the franchise tag and improving his value after missing seven games last season. Then again, he also runs the risk of re-injury, which would lower his asking price once negotiations resume next offseason. When healthy, there are few weapons in the league that can match the physical skills of the 6-foot-3, 216-pound Jeffery.
The Bears likely feel more secure in playing hardball due to the presence of Kevin White on the roster. Last year's first-round pick missed his entire rookie season due to injury, but the 6-foot-3, 215-pound White offers a rare combination of size and speed when he takes the field. He caught 109 passes for 1,447 yards and 10 touchdowns at West Virginia in 2014.
We'll see how both players do on the field this year and how that impacts Jeffery's contract demands.
