Bears GM Ryan Pace said that they are “aggressively” negotiating with WR Alshon Jeffery before the start of free agency and added that the franchise tag still is an option, per Rich Campbell.
Meanwhile, ESPN Adam Schefter reports the Bears are expected to either lock up Jeffery to a long-term deal or use their franchise tag on him.
Jeffery is widely considered to be the best available receiver in this year’s free agent class, and the fact that the Bears have a ton of cap space makes it a pretty easy call to tag him if needed.
Jeffery, 25, played out the the final year of his four-year, $4.54 million rookie contract that included a $1.74 million signing bonus and will be an unrestricted free agent in the coming weeks.
His 2015 season ended with him appearing in nine games and recording 54 receptions for 807 yards receiving and four touchdowns. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 10 receiver out of 119 qualifying players.
We have him featured in our Top 100 – 2016 Free Agents list.
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