While the Bears are still discussing a possible re-up with Alshon Jeffery‘s representatives, the market’s top wide receiver is drawing aggressive interest from elsewhere. Both the Colts and Eagles are making “strong pushes” to add the sixth-year wideout, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Rapoport notes (on Twitter) Jeffery continues to discuss a deal to stay in Chicago but is weighing multiple other offers.
The Eagles have been connected to just about every marquee receiver on the market but have watched DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garcon, Kenny Stills and Kenny Britt agree to sign with other teams. A Jeffery addition would salvage what’s been a wideout-geared offseason for the Eagles thus far.
Indianapolis has more than $47MM in cap space, much more than Philadelphia, but doesn’t have as big of a need at wideout. T.Y. Hilton profiles as a different type of receiver than does Jeffery, but he still led the league in receiving in 2016. The Colts also employ solid No. 2 man Donte Moncrief and drafted Phillip Dorsett in the first round two years ago.
Some trepidation from teams regarding Jeffery’s availability history may be affecting his market, and Jeffery’s best two seasons came in 2013 and ’14 as a No. 2 wideout. But the previously franchise-tagged target figures to cash in, probably for more than $10MM per year based on this layered interest. The Bears, though, would be hit hard if Jeffery left, considering Kevin White has not proven to be reliable. The former first-round pick has missed almost every game during the first two years of his career.
Hey Indy, you might want to spend that money in defense and an o-line.
They’re so delusional to think they can just throw the ball 100% of the time with no D and win games.
Man, Indy protect Andrew Luck, he has plenty of weapons and you guys can find WRs in the draft. OL I think should be your #1 priority. You guys are becoming last year Saints (without the decent OL), all offense and zero defense.
The Bears have done NOTHING to address their receiving corp. Even if they draft a couple of prospects, they have to bring in a couple of serious vets. And Glennon? Hell, Aaron Rodgers couldn’t win with what they have.
I agree with the first two comments. I’ve been saying the same thing. They need to fix their O Line and their defense. They get these quarterbacks (Manning and now Luck) and expect them completely carry the team. It’s ridiculous.
Bears need him to stay close to competitive