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Report: Bears' Negotiations With Alshon Jeffery On Backburner Until After Draft

(CBS) The Bears and top receiver Alshon Jeffery remain on good terms in the team's quest to lock him up to a long-term deal.

Just don't expect an agreement anytime soon.

In an update that comes as no surprise, the Bears have put negotiations with Jeffery on the backburner until after the NFL Draft that will take place from April 28-30 is completed, Yahoo Sports' Charles Robinson reported. The Bears placed the franchise tag on Jeffery in late February, ensuring he won't hit the open market this summer. The sides have until July 15 to work out a long-term deal. If one can't be reached, Jeffery will play on a one-year, $14.599-million deal.

The 26-year-old Jeffery had 54 catches for 807 yards and four touchdowns in 2015. When healthy, he's proved to be a No. 1 receiver. The trouble is he wasn't consistently healthy in 2015, playing in just nine games as he dealt with soft-tissue injuries to four different muscles.

Jeffery will seek a deal worth more than the five-year, $55-million contract that Chiefs receiver Jeremy Maclin received last year, Robinson reported.

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