The Chicago Bears are frustrated with Alshon Jeffery's lingering injury issues as the team continues to try and win games without their leading wide receiver. This is certainly not what the Bears had planned when they traded away Brandon Marshall and drafted Kevin White. Now their presumed top two receivers are not on the field and leaving Jay Cutler to make something out of nothing. Despite the growing frustration towards Jeffery, any ideas of trade talk are being shut down.
Two weeks ago it looked as though the Bears were ready to sell the farm. The team had traded away high-priced free agent Jared Allen and former second-round draft pick Jon Baustic. Reports that Matt Forte or even Cutler could be next on the chopping block began to surface. After two wins, things have quieted down for the Bears so fans would be wise to dismiss talk that Jeffery could be headed elsewhere.
ESPN's John Clayton reported that Jeffery was not "100 percent happy" with the Bears which led some to believe trade talk was beginning to surface. However, Ian Rapoport of NFL Media shut down that idea reporting that Jeffery does not want to go anywhere and is hoping to get back on the field with his teammates sooner rather than later. Jeffery is in the final year of his contract and is aiming to get a nice pay day from Chicago, but the injuries are hurting that effort. After coaching changes and offensive struggles, it would not be crazy to think Jeffery is unhappy, but there is also no chance the franchise trades the receiver.
When talk surfaced around Forte and Cutler, the Chicago Tribune reported that Jeffery was untouchable in trade talk. The Bears plan on re-signing him in the offseason. The dollar amount is the biggest question. Forte could be at risk, but not with the two wins Chicago has acquired which put them back in the NFC North hunt. However, the chances Forte returns in 2016 appear to be 50-50 at best considering the team has made no effort to try and extend him now.
For now, the Bears are keeping their fingers crossed that Jeffery gets on the field and gives the team the offensive weapons they were hoping to have. Head coach John Fox would not make any guarantees that Jeffery would play Week 6 while Marquess Wilson, Eddie Royal and Cameron Meredith will make up for his absence if he is not playing.
"The frustration level ... it's understandable on all sides," Fox said, via ESPN.com. "Our medical people are doing everything in their power as well to get him back. We'll see what this week brings."