Alshon Jeffery agreed with the Eagles on a free-agent contract Thursday. His departure leaves a hole atop of the Bears' receiver depth chart that coincides with their quarterback overhaul.
Jeffery's new deal is only for one season and worth $14 million, NFL Network reported. The long-term market apparently didn't develop for Jeffery as he hoped. By playing on a one-year deal, he is effectively betting on himself to answer questions about his availability and cash in as a free agent next offseason.
Jeffery's departure after five seasons raises questions about the Bears' supporting cast for new quarterback Mike Glennon and any rookie they might draft. For now, their receiving depth chart is topped by Kevin White and Cameron Meredith, a pair of two-year veterans still trying to establish themselves in the NFL and, in White's case, stay healthy and on the field.
General manager Ryan Pace indicated at the NFL scouting combine last Wednesday that the Bears were comfortable with their contingency plans at receiver if Jeffery were to depart. To this point, however, several other free-agent receivers reportedly or officially have found homes, including Kenny Stills (re-signed with the Dolphins), Kenny Britt (joining the Browns), Pierre Garcon (49ers), DeSean Jackson (Buccaneers), Robert Woods (Rams) and Torrey Smith (Eagles).
Britt's new contract averages $8.125 million over four years, ESPN reported, and Stills' averages $8 million, NFL Network reported. Meanwhile, Terrance Williams, Andrew Hawkins and Cordarrelle Patterson are among the receivers looking for new teams.
When Jeffery was on the field for the Bears last season, he was the greatest receiving threat on an offense that tied for 28th in the NFL in total points. For years, his long arms, strong hands and ability to make contested catches made him a security blanket for quarterback Jay Cutler and a matchup problem for opposing defenses, who frequently resorted to double covering him last season.
The Bears were interested in retaining Jeffery, 27, but only at a price that mitigated risk of the unavailability that limited his production over the last two seasons. In back-to-back contract years, he missed a total of 11 games _ seven in 2015 because of various leg muscle injuries and four in 2016 because of a suspension for performance-enhancing drugs.
Over the last two seasons, he averaged 53 receptions for 814 yards and three touchdowns. While his availability issues and the Bears' quarterback situation factored into that output, it was a step back from his 2013 and 2014 seasons, in which he emerged as one of the NFL's top receivers. He made the Pro Bowl as an alternate in 2013 as part of an offense that set the franchise record for yards in a season (6,109).
Three seasons later, that unit has been disassembled for various reasons. Receiver Brandon Marshall, running back Matt Forte, tight end Martellus Bennett and Cutler preceded Jeffery out the door of Halas Hall. And the challenge of restoring the offense's potency is as daunting as ever.
