Sure the quarterback question is going to dominate Chicago Bears discussions for the next few months. Perfectly understandable considering it's the first time in years there could be a change at the most important position on the entire roster. However, nipping at the heels of that story is just what will happen regarding pending free agent wide receiver Alshon Jeffery.
Last season was supposed to provide some answers on his contract question. GM Ryan Pace had chosen to give Jeffery the franchise tag, then let him play it out. The idea being if Jeffery delivered a solid year the Bears would be far more comfortable handing him top receiver money. Instead the waters were muddied further. Alshon earned a PED suspension and scored a meager two touchdowns.
Not exactly elite receiver activity. Now many fans are in a panic. They're wondering if the Bears are thinking about cutting bait and letting Jeffery walk in free agency. A dangerous proposition given Cameron Meredith and Kevin White are their best options without him.
If people were looking for a hint on that subject, they may have gotten one.
Drea Avent is a noted sports caster who has worked for Fox, NBC, and CBS among others. She's known and respected in NFL circles. So it was interesting to hear what she had to say regarding a recent meet-up with Jeffery just over two weeks away from the start of free agency on March 9th.
This is a fascinating development for a number of reasons. Chiefly the simplest one. The fact that Alshon is choosing to work out in Chicago. It's hard not to speculate that this could offer some insight into his free agency intentions. After all, would it really make sense to change his workout habits to stay in a city you're most likely about to leave for a new destination? Then there is another fact that people can't forget. Last season the Bears brass made their sentiments plain when Jeffery missed voluntary offseason workout. They weren't happy, and had wished the 26-year old receiver took his role as a team leader more seriously.
Instead of joining the Bears for voluntary offseason workouts, Jeffery has trained in Florida. The Bears have made their sentiments clear. “I wish he was here,” Pace said. “It’s voluntary. It is what it is.” Added Fox: “I’ve talked with Alshon, he understands how I feel.”Perhaps this is a message from Jeffery that he's starting to take their words to heart, while also backing up his own prediction that the Bears would win the Super Bowl in 2017. It's hard to see a reason for him making such a boast if he plans to jump ship to another team. This may be the latest and strongest sign yet that Alshon has no plans to leave Chicago this March. [video width="854" height="480" mp4="https://www.sportsmockery.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Alshon-Jeffery-Highlights-Bears-vs.-Texans-NFL-Week-1-Player-Highlights.mp4"][/video] Of course it could all be just a coincidence too, but it's too difficult to envision any realistic scenario where the Bears actually think they become a better team by letting him leave. Even with his four-game suspension this past season, embarrassing as it was, he still finished second on the team with 821 yards receiving. Considering they're about to bring in a new quarterback, losing their best wide receiver at the same time doesn't sound like smart football. The Bears have more than enough money to give him a long-term deal. Barring that they are free to franchise tag him again. Brandon Marshall and Martellus Bennett were losses that could be justified. This one? Not so much.
