It appears GM Ryan Pace and head coach John Fox have finally reached their decision regarding wide receiver
Alshon Jeffery. After months of waiting and debating, it appears the
Chicago Bears are prepared to take their chances on offense without the 26-year old former Pro Bowler by letting him hit the free agent market this coming March.
Perhaps there is still a fleeting hope that the two sides will work out a long-term extension, but that's not likely. It's been felt ever since last year that this Bears regime was lukewarm on Jeffery as a true #1 wide receiver. His durability issues and off-the-field actions did him no favors. In 2015 he missed seven games with various injuries. Then last season he skipped voluntary minicamps and also earned a four-game suspension for PED violations.
Though he still managed to post over 800 yards receiver in each of those years despite missing 11 total games, that clearly wasn't enough for the Bears. At least not to consider paying him top wide receiver money which is expected to stretch north of $15 million. They seem to have confidence they can keep the offense effective without him.
THE PACE WAY
That was first hinted at when they drafted
Kevin White two years ago. The former seventh overall pick flashed his considerable playmaking ability early last year but continues to suffer injury setback. Along with ascending former undrafted free agent
Cameron Meredith, they'll be expected to help fill the void Jeffery leaves behind. Along with whomever Pace decides to bring in as a replacement.
[video width="854" height="480" mp4="https://www.sportsmockery.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Matt-Barkley-Tosses-a-TD-Strike-to-Cameron-Meredith-Redskins-vs.-Bears-NFL-Week-16-Highlights.mp4"][/video]
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It's not entirely insane to think about. If healthy White showed he can play at the NFL level, and Meredith had 888 yards in his second year. Together with
Jordan Howard at running back this team isn't totally devoid of weapons. They have loads of cap space and high draft position. So the odds of finding one or two quality weapons for the offense are very possible. If nothing else this proves once again that Pace is a bottom line guy.
Players he didn't add to the roster himself need to pass the eye test for him, both on and off the field. In spite of his considerable talent, Jeffery has failed on both accounts. With this news the Bears are stating quite clearly that another team can feel free to overpay for him. They'll take their chances elsewhere.
