The Philadelphia Eagles are reportedly in the lead to sign free agent wide receiver Alshon Jeffery away from the Chicago Bears.
The Eagles need to get better at wide receiver in 2017. They had a strong defense under defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz last year. Philadelphia seems to have the right guy in place at quarterback in Carson Wentz.
However, wideout is a glaring hole for the Eagles going forward. Could they be in the market for a star wideout? According to ESPN’s Josina Anderson, “Alshon Jeffery is leaning towards choosing the Eagles when free agency starts.”
Jeffery spent the previous five seasons in the NFL with the Chicago Bears. The Bears drafted Jeffery out of South Carolina in 2012, making a Pro Bowl with the club in 2013. He was slapped with the franchise tag last season with the Bears. However, he hits unrestricted free agency this spring.
Philadelphia is on the cusp of contending for a playoff spot in the NFC. Frankly, the Eagles are ahead of schedule after their 7-9 campaign in 2016. Many thought the Eagles were going to be the worst team in the NFC last season.
Jeffery has shown that he can be a No. 1 wide receiver on an NFL team. However, he has only played in 21 games over the last two seasons. He doesn’t help anybody when he’s not on the field. Philadelphia also has to get creative up against the cap. General manager Howie Roseman only has about $14,932,476 to work with this spring.
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Jeffery won’t come cheap to the Eagles but looks to be a great fit in Philadelphia if he does end up signing there. If he can play a full 16-game season, maybe the Eagles challenge the Cowboys for the NFC East division title? A few key acquisitions and the Eagles will definitely be in the mix for the NFC Playoffs.