Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune reports that while the Bears and franchise WR Alshon Jeffery have just five days to reach an agreement on a long-term contract, it’s likely that deal is in place by the Friday deadline.
Instead, Jeffery is expected to play out the year under the franchise tag and be in position to once again test the open market next year.
Campbell mentions that neither side has much of an incentive budget off their current demands, as Jeffery wants to paid as a top-tier receiver while the Bears would prefer to see a larger sample size in regards to his fitness and intangibles.
Campbell believes both sides could benefit from revisiting contract talks in January.
Jeffery, 26, was taken in the second-round of the 2012 NFL draft by the Bears. He played out the the final year of his four-year, $4.54 million rookie contract that included a $1.74 million signing bonus before receiving the team’s franchise tag.
The franchise tag will run the Bears $14.599 million guaranteed for the 2016 season.
Jeffery’s 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’ll have more regarding a long-term extension for Jeffery as the news is available.
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