Bears pessimistic about long-term deal with Alshon Jeffery

Chicago Bears’ wide receiver Alshon Jeffery is unlikely to sign a long-term deal and looks destined to play the season on his franchise tag.

Chicago Bears’ No. 1 wide receiver, Alshon Jeffery, is seeking a new, long-term contract with the team, but according to the NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, “there’s not a lot of confidence” a deal can be reached during this offseason.

Jeffery is currently signed under the franchise tag, which will pay him $14.6 million in 2016-17. NFL teams have until July 15th to negotiate with franchise players.

However, after playing out the final year of his four-year, $4.54 million rookie contract last season, the former second round pick is looking to cash in.

The market price for Jeffery should be similar to that of San Diego’s Keenan Allen and Seattle’s Doug Baldwin who both signed similar 4-year deals in excess of $45 million this summer.

The Bears organization does have some concerns over Jeffery’s durability, however, and rightfully so. The 26-year-old pass catcher only played in nine games last season, ending his season on the Injured Reserve and has missed a total of 13 games throughout his young NFL career.

But, with the recent departures of star offensive weapons such as running back Matt Forte, receiver Brandon Marshall, and tight end Martellus Bennett, the Bears are in desperate need of established talent on the offensive side of the football.

While a long-term deal can still theoretically be reached, the two sides are relatively far apart and the deadline rapidly approaching, so the expectation around the league is that Alshon Jeffery will play under the dreaded franchise tag in 2016 and hit the open market as a free agent after the upcoming season.

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