Would the Chicago Bears trade Alshon Jeffery?

Reports have surfaced that teams have inquired about Alshon Jeffery, but would the Chicago Bears pull the trigger?

The Chicago Bears 2016 season hasn’t exactly been a rousing success. With a 1-6 record and a mounting pile of injuries, despite the season not even being halfway complete, the season, for all intents and purposes, is in fact over.

The NFL trade deadline is less than a week away and with that, reports started surfacing that teams, specifically the Philadelphia Eagles, had contacted the Chicago Bears about trading for WR Alshon Jeffery.

The important thing to note here is that the Eagles are attempting to trade for Alshon Jeffery. These reports are not that the Chicago Bears are shopping Alshon Jeffery. That’s a major difference and one that shouldn’t go unnoticed.

The Bears can call the Houston Texans and ask for JJ Watt and a report can surface that the Chicago Bears are trying to trade for JJ Watt, it doesn’t mean the Texans would actually trade their star player.

However in this case, Eagles GM Howie Roseman is not just going to waste his time, he’s only going to inquire about trading for Jeffery only if he feels there is a legitimate chance they might be able to make the trade happen.

So the question becomes, would Ryan Pace actually pull the trigger? We know Pace wants to build this team through the draft and acquiring draft picks is something that Pace would love to do.

But the reports are that the Eagles are offering a mid-round pick. That would mean a third or fourth rounder. Here’s why the price is so low. Jeffery is playing under the franchise tag. As part of the CBA rules, his contract cannot be renegotiated during the season. If the Eagles traded for him, they would have to roll the dice on him for the remainder of the season and then hope they can re-sign him in the offseason. If he chooses to leave, there is nothing the Eagles can do about it.

That is a major risk for a team to take, even for a star like Jeffery. Receiving a third or fourth round pick for Jeffery seems woefully low. If the Eagles upped it to a second round pick, I think that’s something that Pace would consider, and if the Eagles offered a first, I think that’s something Pace would absolutely do.

However, the Eagles are not and will not offer a first round pick for Jeffery. Between his past injuries and the contract situation, there is just no chance they would give that much value for a WR, even if Carson Wentz desperately needs weapons.

The unfortunate truth about this is that Pace would trade Jeffery if the price is right. While I don’t think a mid-round pick gets it done, if a team is willing to ante up to Pace’s demands, the trade would almost certainly happen.

If Jeffery is traded for anything less than a first round pick, it’s more than fair to start questioning Ryan Pace’s rebuilding plan. Yes, Pace wants to get younger and yes, Pace wants to do it with his own guys, but trading a 26-year old established star for even a second round pick is just a ridiculous proposition.

Luckily, it’s doubtful that the Bears would find someone willing to pony up the price they would want for Jeffery, however, if Pace is listening to offers, you have to wonder how much he’s willing to pay to keep Jeffery in a Bears uniform beyond this season.

It seems obvious that the Bears need to sign Jeffery to a multiyear deal, but if the Bears decline to do that and let him walk, that is a decision that certainly isn’t wise. If the Bears choose to franchise tag Jeffery one more time (something the CBA allows) that’s going to agitate Jeffery enough where he probably wouldn’t reconsider signing with the Bears after the 2017 season.

The Jeffery rumors will probably result in nothing, but it does give some insight as to how Pace views one of his more valuable (if not his most valuable) asset.

Hopefully this is nothing more than a rumor and Jeffery stays in a Bears’ uniform. Only time will tell. Chicago is watching you, Ryan Pace. It’s your move.

Bill Zimmerman is an editor and featured writer for FanSided‘s BearGogglesOn. Like hisFacebook page or follow him on Twitter for more news and interaction.