After the Chicago Bears decided against placing the franchise tag on Alshon Jeffery recently, the former Pro Bowl receiver will hit the free-agent market next week.
It’s long been antipicated that Jeffery would bolt from the Windy City, attempting to catch on with a better team for a whole bunch of cash.
While that’s still a highly likely scenario, NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport is reporting that both the Bears and Jeffery are open to him returning. More than that, the two sides met just recently to discuss a potential contract.
The #Bears and FA WR Alshon Jeffery's agent had a positive meeting today, I'm told. Both sides are more than open to a reunion….
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 4, 2017
Jeffery, 27, is coming off a 2016 campaign that saw him put up 52 receptions for 821 yards and just two touchdowns. He was also suspended four games for violating the NFL’s PED policy.
With that said, the talent is surely there for Jeffery to return to 2013-14 form when he combined to put up 174 receptions for over 2,500 yards.
The San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles and Tennessee Titans are all said to highly covet Jeffery. So if the Bears were to retain him, it wouldn’t come cheap.