When the Chicago Bears traded away Brandon Marshall, they were confidence that Alshon Jeffery would become the No.1 receiver for Jay Cutler. They paired that with the drafting of Kevin White who was supposed to be an immediate starter for the Bears. However, that plan has failed to develop. White suffered a shin injury and underwent surgery that has likely ended his season. Jeffery has not been a factor for the Bears this season as he continues to deal with calf and hamstring injuries that are leaving him off the field. Will this hurt his future with the team?
Jeffery is playing on an expiring contract. The wide receiver is in the final year of his rookie contract and could become a free agent in 2016 after he and the Bears did not discuss an extension in the offseason. Right now, Jeffery is not helping his case to earn a top-dollar deal in the offseason. The 25-year-old is dealing with calf and hamstring injuries. He has missed the past two games after sitting out the entire preseason. According to the Chicago Tribune, the Bears are at a crossroads with the receiver.
Jeffery has a solid resume. In 2013, he put up 1,421 yards and seven touchdowns. However, in 2014 he had 288 fewer yards as the offense struggled in general. This year when the Bears really need him the most, injuries are keeping him on the sidelines. According to the Tribune, the salary cap is expected to rise next season which will help the Bears out when it comes to the wide receiver. However, the team must decide is Jeffery is worth a deal similar to the five-year contracts handed out to AJ Green, Dez Byant and Julio Jones in this offseason. If Jeffery lands on the open market, he will have every team eyeing him as an option, but it has yet to be determined if Chicago will be one of them.
It is clear the Bears are missing Jeffery along with Cutler who is out with hamstring problems. Jimmy Clausen simply could not get the job done as Eddie Royal and Marquess Wilson struggled as the top two receivers against the stout Seattle secondary. Nothing worked for the Bears. They attempted to get a run game working, but Matt Forte accumulated just 74 yards as the defense stuffed the box, aware that Clausen could not make the throws. Going forward without Jeffery, Bears fans can expect much of the same.
"It was tough," Clausen said, via ESPN.com. "Obviously I took a shot to Josh Bellamy on the sidelines. I tried to take a shot toward the end to Martellus Bennett. I tried to push the ball down the field a little bit when the opportunity was there."