The Bears are cleaning house, but they’re not looking to break apart the foundation. At this point in time, the Bears are not willing to move Matt Forte or Alshon Jeffery, according to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link).
On Monday, the Bears moved linebacker Jonathan Bostic and defensive end Jared Allen for a pair of sixth-round picks in an effort to create financial flexibility going forward. The deals also sent away two players that were leftovers from the previous regime that didn’t necessarily fit in with the club’s current schemes. One can’t help but wonder if GM Ryan Pace will eventually look to move on from offensive stars like Forte, Jeffery, Jay Cutler, and Martellus Bennett and replace them with guys he prefers.
Forte, 30 in December, pushed for an extension this offseason and skipped voluntary workouts to strengthen his position, but he was ultimately rebuffed. The veteran, who has a $9.2MM cap number this year, is set to hit the open market after the season. The two-time Pro Bowler has been a staple in the Bears’ backfield ever since he was drafted in 2008, but it’s possible that his time in Chicago is drawing to a close.
Is Jeffery a free agent at the end of the year?
He is, yeah.