Emma: Bears' Franchise Tag Seeming More Likely For Alshon Jeffery
By Chris Emma—
(CBS) Matched up against Minnesota cornerback Terence Newman in the end zone, Chicago's Alshon Jeffery showed why he's one of the NFL's best receivers. It wasn't one of those one-handed catches or remarkable diving catches -- just one of those plays Jeffery makes look so routine.
Jeffery recognized his space and broke free of the former Pro Bowl cornerback with a quick move to make the catch. He has that ability to find the smallest bit of space to haul in the football. Jeffery made plays similar to this, too, just a week prior against Washington, with a terrific move for a back-shoulder catch. And he has a flare for the spectacular, as we've seen many times before.
But his besting Newman on that play was Jeffery's only catch of a long afternoon in Minneapolis on Sunday. In the third quarter, he tweaked his hamstring and returned briefly before staying on the sidelines. This injury came after a week in which Jeffery was battling a calf injury and illness. Injuries have been a trend for the talented receiver this season.
Following the Bears' brutal 38-17 loss to the Vikings, Jeffery sat outside his stall in the cramped TCF Bank visitors' locker room and was visibly frustrated.
"You tell me what was missing," Jeffery responded to a reporter.
Preceding this were several questions about Jeffery's health. He was dismissive in suggesting that the injury was an issue and stated that it was just a tweak. It was one that he spent Monday nursing at Halas Hall, but the tweaks have been too many.
By now, Jeffery is accustomed to answering questions about his health. He's been on the Bears' injury report for 11 of the 14 games and missed five contests with injuries to his hamstring, groin and calf.
The next questions for Jeffery and his well-respected agent, Eugene Parker, to answer will be from Bears general manager Ryan Pace and the Bears' decision-makers.
For all the talent of Jeffery, the injury concerns are legitimate. He played a full 16 games in 2014, then entered this contract year after missing the entire preseason with a calf injury, and he's hardly been healthy since. The startling trend is that these have all been soft-tissue injuries -- muscle pulls and lingering discomfort.
Jeffery had 85 catches last season, recording a career-best 10 touchdowns. It was a terrific season – but more importantly, it was a healthy one. A repeat of that in 2015 would've secured a long-term deal in Chicago. Now, there are real questions of what lies ahead.
Can Jeffery stay healthy enough to warrant a long-term deal? Pace's most likely course of action will to slap the franchise tag on the wideout and hope for further proof of production in 2016 on the one-year deal. The Bears, with upward of $60 million projected in cap space this offseason, would prefer not to commit major money to a risky asset.
In nine games this season, Jeffery has 54 catches for 807 yards and four touchdowns. He had three straight games with more than 100 yards, displaying his dominance. But he's only played seven of the Bears' 14 games as a productive, healthy receiver.
When healthy, Jeffery can be considered among the best receivers in football. He has that ability to take over a game with freakish catches. What Jeffery brings to an offense can't be coached and sure would be hard to replace. But the Bears have been stuck trying to find a replacement for most of this season.
"We've had some practice," Bears coach John Fox said of potentially filling Jeffery's shoes yet again.
This season has brought greater concern for Jeffery's future. At the very least, he's made it seemingly difficult to secure a long-term deal this offseason, unless Pace is feeling bold.
Jeffery can transform an offense with his elite abilities, but that's only if healthy. That if looms large as he and the Bears enter contract decisions.
Chris Emma covers the Chicago sports scene and more for CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 and like his Facebook page.
