The two biggest dilemmas of 2017 for the Chicago Bears are unenviable. Topping the list is what they plan to do at quarterback. Their trio of Jay Cutler, Brian Hoyer and Matt Barkley didn't get the job done this past year. Filling that gigantic void is incredibly important. Then there is the other elephant in the room. What in the world are they going to do about wide receiver Alshon Jeffery?
He is widely considered to be one of the three or four best potential free agents available this coming March. One would think that would make him a prime target for other teams. Thus increasing the urgency to sign him to a long-term extension, right? Well it seems the Bears brass still aren't sure about that.
Though they did use the franchise tag on him in 2016, it was done to see if the 26-year old would answer the challenge in another contract year. For the second-straight time he failed to crack 1, 000 yards. First because of injuries and this time a suspension. If anything his situation is cloudier than ever. So what fate awaits him in two months?
Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune has stayed on top of the Jeffery news for months. After talking with several different sources, it seems a picture has begun to emerge. One that is sure to frighten more than a few Bears fans ahead of the 2017 season.
"It seems unlikely the Bears will get a pre-emptive deal done with Alshon Jeffery to keep their biggest star coming out of contract from reaching free agency. Deals like the Browns did with Collins are rare after the season ends. Players are less than two months away from reaching the open market. That's a sure sign Collins knew the Browns were delivering the moon and several stars to him, paying more than he could command after the start of the new league year. The Bears couldn't bridge the gap with Jeffery on a multi-year contract last year to avoid the franchise tag and multiple sources said it's unlikely something happens this year without the former Pro Bowl performer at least being able to see what else might be available. That's where things could get very pricey very quickly. Before you wonder if that could really happen, remember free agency is where Olivier Vernon found a contract larger than the one J.J. Watt has a year ago."It's understandable that people fear Jeffery won't be back if he hits the open market. Keep in mind that the San Francisco 49ers, Tennessee Titans, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers all have considerable needs at the receiver position. They also have something else in common. Each has more salary cap space to spend in 2017 free agency. So it's unlikely the Bears would be able to outbid any of them, even if they wanted to. Current estimates around Jeffery say he will command somewhere in the $14 million range, similar to Dez Bryant and Demaryius Thomas. The idea is he'll go to the open market and see if somebody might pay more. It only takes one team desperate enough to do so. GM Ryan Pace has made it clear from every deal he's made that he's not going to overpay for any player he doesn't feel is worth it. With that being said it's important to not lose hope just yet. There have been plenty of instances where players test free agency and still end up signing with their original teams. In fact the Bears did so back in 2008. The year before they had franchised Lance Briggs. It was a move that angered the Pro Bowl linebacker. So much in fact that he basically declared he was done with the team.
"I am now prepared to sit out the year if the Bears don't trade me or release me, I've played my last snap for them. I'll never play another down for Chicago again."The Bears briefly considered trading him but in the end decided to call his bluff. After holding out for mandatory minicamps, Briggs chose to report and played for the team in 2007. Then in March of 2008 he chose to sign a new six-year, $36 million deal to stay with the team. Understand that free agency started on February 29th that year. So Briggs was technically available to other teams for over 24 hours. He was significantly more proven as a playmaker than Alshon Jeffery is. If there is one thing the NFL has revealed over the years it's that almost no player is irreplaceable. Losing him would be a tough blow to the offense in the short-term, but here's one final stat to digest. In the 12 games Jeffery played in 2016, the Bears offense averaged 253.3 yards passing. This versus 231.5 yards without him. Before people go and say 21.8 yards per game is a significant difference, understand they played three of those four games with a third-string quarterback in Matt Barkley. Not to mention one of them was in a blizzard. [video width="854" height="480" mp4="https://www.sportsmockery.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Matt-Barkley-Drives-the-Bears-Down-the-Field-for-a-TD-49ers-vs.-Bears-NFL.mp4"][/video] He did that throwing to guys like Cameron Meredith and Josh Bellamy. Then there is this simple fact. The Bears were 1-3 without Alshon. They were 2-10 with him. In 2015 they were 3-4 without him and 3-6 with him. So it's fair to ask. Just how much of a difference-maker is Jeffery when you come right down to it? Not enough to pay him like he is one.
