Emma: Bears, Jeffery Entering An Uncertain Future

By Chris Emma--

(CBS) Ever since arriving in Chicago, there have been many misconceptions about Bears receiver Alshon Jeffery.

Jeffery comes from a small South Carolina town of 2,000 and change. Settling into the bustling city was certainly an adjustment, though he learned to embrace the spotlight. Jeffery isn't quite comfortable in front of the camera, but his role as a budding star for the Bears requires it.

More so, the perception that Jeffery doesn't care is far from true. The thought that coach John Fox doesn't care for him is false. The idea that he's selfish is just plain wrong. Jeffery wants nothing more than to bring the Bears some Super Bowl glory.

"This city thrills for a championship," Jeffery said in June. "That's what we're trying to do. I would love to win a championship here."

Beyond the question marks and concerns constantly surrounding Jeffery is the fact that he believes that he's great.

Jeffery's quiet confidence revealed itself beginning in February, when his price was set for a long-term deal. He set his sights on big money, looking to be paid among the best receivers in football, like Dez Bryant, Julio Jones and A.J. Green. As the months went on, the Bears refused to budge, aiming for Jeffery to prove himself after an injury-plagued 2015. Jeffery and his party refused to come down in his asking price, dead set on proving his place.

Alshon, you are now on the clock.

After Friday's deadline for a long-term deal came and went, Jeffery will now play out the 2016 season under the franchise tag, which offers $14.6 million. It's quite the offering, but it comes with the chip to place on his shoulder.

Typically, the franchise tag brings reasons to be ticked off. Your team doesn't believe enough in you enough. In this specific case, the Bears want to see Jeffery prove that he can stay healthy after he missed seven games with four different soft-tissue injuries last season.

Jeffery worked this offseason with renowned trainer David Alexander to better understand his body and how to maintain it. The decision brought questions to Jeffery's care for the Bears, but it was simply a move that could foster personal growth.

"Alshon will be the standard," Alexander said of Jeffery in May. "When a lot of guys are in college watching film on NFL guys, they're going to base their work ethic around him."

Both the Bears and Jeffery had fair reasons to hold firm in their respective beliefs. Jeffery had a combined 174 catches in two 16-game seasons before a lost 2015, but the Bears wanted to see him go grab his reward in a critical contract year. Thus, the stalemate began with little chance of a handshake.

Make no mistake, the Bears would like nothing more than to see Jeffery go out and prove he's one of the best receivers in football -- something he's done when healthy and on the field. Jeffery will be paid handsomely this season as he fights for that long-term deal.

After this season, though, Jeffery is entering the unknown. He could have a career year, and the Bears will prepare a lucrative deal. Then comes the question of whether he wants to continue in Chicago after being slighted in these negotiations, something common when the franchise tag is involved.

Jeffery could also produce another clunker like last season, and the Bears would be put in an uncomfortable position.

Should a future with Jeffery be ruled unimaginable, the Bears will be forced to tender the franchise tag yet again with the hope to trade the receiver for some return of value. That's the wise alternative to simply letting him walk into the free-agent market and collect his pile of money.

Tendering the franchise tag creates strain in a relationship. The Bears understood that they were entering rocky waters when making the move official. General manager Ryan Pace and his brass also recognized early on that a deal was unlikely before Friday's deadline.

The only common ground between the Bears and Jeffery is the hope for a big season from him, so  that established value leads to Dez Bryant money (five years, $70 million) or a trade from Chicago.

A long-term partnership with Jeffery would be ideal for the Bears. They have constructed a core on offense around quarterback Jay Cutler, believing he can lead this new direction of Pace and Fox. The tremendous talent of Jeffery is needed to make this work.

When healthy, there are few receivers who have the ability to go up and get the football like Jeffery. He has long arms and such strong hands that make his 6-foot-3 frame bigger than anybody in the secondary. Jeffery has that flair for the spectacular that becomes a constant when he's healthy.

Simply put, the Bears weren't willing to take a chance on Jeffery. They want to see him go earn his future this season.

Naturally, the confident Jeffery wouldn't take anything less than what his belief suggested. The exercise of an impasse finally found an end Friday with greater questions ahead.

Here comes crunch time, and Jeffery is on the clock.

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