Bears Will Use Franchise Tag On Alshon Jeffery If Long-Term Deal Not Reached

By Chris Emma--

INDIANAPOLIS (CBS) -- The Chicago Bears have committed to a move a season in the making, as they'll tender receiver Alshon Jeffery with the franchise tag by Tuesday's deadline if a long-term deal isn't reached before then, sources said. This administrative move comes as the Bears and Jeffery's representation have had talks on a long-term deal but haven't come to an agreement yet. They can still negotiate on a long-term deal until July 15.

In making this decision, the Bears remove Jeffery from the free-agent market and will pay him a 2016 figure that's the average of the top five salaries of NFL receivers, should no long-term deal be reached. The one-year deal for receivers who are given the franchise tag is expected to be around $14.5 million.

"If it happens, it happens," Jeffery said in January of the franchise tag. "I just play football."

Jeffery caught 54 passes for 807 yards and four touchdowns in 2015, but he played in just nine games and battled four different soft-tissue injuries -- to his hamstring, groin, calf and shoulder. His unreliable health serves as primary reason the long-term extension doesn't appear to be in his immediate future with the Bears.

At full health, Jeffery had three straight games of more than 100 yards, including a 10-catch, 151-yard performance in the Bears' win over the Chargers. He then suffered injuries to his groin and shoulder in practice the following week.

The Bears are hoping that Jeffery can respond with better health in 2016 after a new offseason training regiment. Their plan consists of lining up Jeffery and Kevin White -- the rookie receiver who missed the entire 2015 season with a stress fracture in his leg -- as their top receivers. Jeffery even said the two would be "something special" working together.

In his second year as Bears general manager, Ryan Pace has held the franchise tag in his pocket as Jeffery battled injuries during his fourth season in Chicago. While Jeffery had missed just eight games in the three seasons prior and played a full season in 2014, the frequency of soft-tissue tweaks created concern to his health.

Jeffery vowed he would have "a hell of an offseason" in preparing for 2016.

Chris Emma covers the Chicago sports scene and more for CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 and like his Facebook page.