It looks quite likely that wide receiver Alshon Jeffery will be spending his 2016 season playing under the franchise tag.
Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune reported Monday that Jeffery will almost certainly fail to reach an agreement on a long-term deal with the Chicago Bears before the July 15 deadline. Jeffery is said to be asking for a salary much higher than anything the Bears are prepared to pay at this moment.
This should not be taken as a sign of any animosity between team and player. Jeffery is coming off an underwhelming season in which he missed seven games, and the Bears simply want to see him stay healthy and produce more before they make a long-term investment and pay him like an elite receiver. It’s a completely reasonable path to choose.
Jeffrey knows this too, as evidenced by his lack of desire to hold out. If he stays healthy and performs, the Bears will take care of him.
