Chicago Bears General Manager Ryan Pace met with the media on Wednesday at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. Pace addressed several issues, but much of the conversation focused on Alshon Jeffery and his status with the Bears franchise.
Pace stated that the Bears have been working on trying to lock Jeffery down to a multi-year deal and wouldn’t rule using out the franchise tag if necessary. Pace was very clear in his comments that they want Jeffery signed.
"We’re actively and aggressively pursuing that right now. We understand the deadline is Tuesday for the franchise tag. That’s an option. We have until Tuesday to make that decision."
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That should put many Bears’ fans minds at ease. With the franchise tag deadline rapidly approaching, the Bears had been completely mum as to what their plans were with Jeffery. Signs pointed that they wanted to keep him in Chicago, but as free agency neared, it started to become unclear what the Bears’ plans were and rumors began to surface that Pace was considering letting Jeffery test free agency.
It does appear that there probably won’t be much progress on a contract until the Bears place the tag on Jeffery.
And if you know how Alshon Jeffery's agent Eugene Parker rolls, he's not doing a damn thing until the Bears tag Jeffery. Ball in their court
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) February 19, 2016
If Jeffery’s agent is waiting for the tag, then we can expect the Bears to move on that in the next 3 to 4 days and then work on hammering out a deal without fear that Jeffery will be playing elsewhere in 2016. While Jeffery did struggle with some injuries in 2015, keeping him as part of the Bears’ future is a no brainer.
While some have questioned Pace after jettisoning Brandon Marshall and Matt Forte, he likes Jeffery’s age and productivity and knows that Jeffery can be part of building something special in Chicago.
Bill Zimmerman is an editor and featured writer for FanSided‘s BearGogglesOn. Follow his Facebook page or like him on Twitter for more news and interaction.