Injury To Kevin White Increases Odds Of Bears Signing Alshon Jeffery To An Extension

According to Jason Cole of the Bleacher Report, it’s “far more likely” that the Bears will attempt to sign WR Alshon Jeffery to a contract extension now that first-round WR Kevin White could miss the entire 2015 season.

Cole mentions that the Bears were planning on taking a “wait-and-see” approach with Jeffery before considering an extension.

Bears GM Ryan Pace mentioned Saturday that Jeffery’s calf injury is not a long-term concern and they expect him to be available for the start of the regular season.

A number of receivers have received new contract extensions including Dez Bryant, Demaryius Thomas and T.Y. Hilton in the past month or so, and in the process set the market for the position moving forward.

While Jeffery may not get the $14 million per year that Bryant and Thomas agreed to, there’s a chance that he could come close to Hilton’s $13 million annual salary.

Jeffery, 25, is entering the final year of his four-year, $4.54 million rookie contract and stands to make a base salary of $960,157 for the 2015 season.

In 2014, Jeffery appeared in all 16 games for the Bears and caught 85 passes for 1,133 yards receiving and a career high 10 touchdowns. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 28 receiver out of 110 qualifying players.