Alshon Jeffery will not be playing for a team other than the Chicago Bears next season, as the team announced on Monday that they have used the franchise tag on the 26-year-old wide receiver.
As SiriusXM NFL Radio notes, the value of the franchise tag for receivers in 2016 will be $14.599 million. The Bears have until July 15 to work out a long-term contract extension with Jeffery, though it remains unclear if they will make an honest effort to do so.
A recent report indicated that the Bears might be prepared to let Jeffery test free agency, but that would have made little sense. While he appeared in just nine games last season and struggled to stay healthy, Jeffery is one of the most dominant receivers in the game when he plays. He would have undoubtedly signed a massive contract if the Bears let him hit the open market. This way, Chicago can keep Jeffery for another season and allow him to play for a contract while proving he can stay on the field.
If you believe this report, Jeffery could wind up being with the Bears for the long haul. Time will tell if the team prioritizes making that happen in the current months.
