Bears Officially Use Franchise Tag WR Alshon Jeffery

February 29, 2016

Update:

The Chicago Bears announced Tuesday that WR Alshon Jeffery has officially signed his franchise tag tender.

#Bears WR Alshon Jeffery has officially signed his franchise tag tender; can still ink long-term deal through 7/15. pic.twitter.com/qfoQnRZtJM

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) March 8, 2016

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The Chicago Bears have already announced that they’ve used the franchise tag on WR Alshon Jeffery.

#Bears have placed their franchise tag on WR Alshon Jeffery; can still sign him to a long-term contract through July 15.

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) February 29, 2016

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Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that after discussions at the Combine, the Bears have decided to use their franchise tag on WR Alshon Jeffery.

Rand Getlin has been told not to expect a long-term deal between the Bears and Jeffery at any point in the future.
Getlin adds that the two parties still have a “distance to cover” in negotiations.

Given that Jeffery is the best free agent receiver in this year’s free agent class, it makes plenty of sense for the Bears to tag him and continue working on a long-term extension.

This move will run the Bears close to $14.599 million guaranteed for the 2016 season.

It will be interesting to see where contract talks between the Bears and Jeffery go over the next few months, and if he’s able to come close to the contracts signed by Dez Bryant, Demaryius Thomas and A.J. Green last year.

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 had him featured in our Top 100 – 2016 Free Agents list.