Chicago Bears Rumors: Bears Look To Not Franchise Tag Alshon Jeffrey

Although the NFL scouting combine is this week, the Chicago Bears have spent their time in Indianapolis discussing the top unsigned free agents, the free agent status of wide receiver Alshon Jeffery has generated the most response so far. There are only a few days remaining before the Bears have to decide if they will apply the franchise tag on him.

The deadline for NFL teams to use the franchise tag on players is March 1. Teams can use the franchise tag in order to keep a valued player from jettisoning to another team without any type of negotiating.

Some teams have a couple of players they must decide on using the franchise tag for exclusivity in contract talks. Choosing which player to tag can be harrowing. If a team applies the exclusive negotiating rights to the wrong player, perhaps someone who is disgruntled with the club, it can have an effect on team chemistry and overall play. Also, while tagging a disgruntled player in an effort to keep him, a team runs the risk of losing another teammate who is just as valuable.

Take the Denver Broncos for instance. They must decide between Super Bowl 50 MVP Von Miller, free agent quarterback Brock Osweiler, and defensive lineman Malik Jackson. If they choose to place the franchise tag on Von Miller, the Broncos run the risk of losing Osweiler and Jackson to other teams.

Chances are great that the Denver Broncos will lose out on retaining one of the three players. They cannot afford to move forward without Miller and Osweiler.

Miller will most likely become the highest-paid defender on the team. He is not changing teams.

Whoa, Malik Jackson reportedly asking for a lot less than initially thought! https://t.co/bJJtqEHz4u

— MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) February 25, 2016

In the case of Brock Osweiler, it is clear that the Broncos want to move on without Peyton Manning. Re-signing Osweiler is a priority for Denver. It might make the most sense to tag him, just to have the exclusive negotiating rights.

Jackson is a different story, although it is in the Broncos best interest to try and keep him, they have bigger needs. It is possible that Malik Jackson will become a casualty to the salary cap and franchise tag.

Jackson is a candidate to join the Chicago Bears, but it would be easier to sign him, and others if Alshon Jeffery is back on a new multi-year deal.

Applying the franchise tag on Alshon Jeffery would help the Bears engage in contract talks with the wideout, thus keeping other teams at bay. If the Bears were to use the tag on him, they would have to hope that they can come to terms on a new deal soon. Wide receivers take up the third-highest cap hit at $14.4 million when the franchise tag is used.

The potential $14.4 million cap hold the Chicago Bears would have on Alshon Jeffery would take up nearly 25 percent of their available cap space. And if the Bears want to go after a couple of top-level free agents, they might have to trust that Jeffery will be receptive to contract talks. The news from Chicago Bears General Manager Ryan Pace, who spoke at the NFL scouting combine is that both sides are discussing a long-term deal (courtesy of CBS Chicago). Ryan Pace stated that “he (Alshon Jeffrey) wants to be here (Bears).” A contract of five years worth the $50 million range would allow the Bears more room to further build a team. It would also avoid an acrimonious situation like what may wind up brewing in Denver.

Chicago Bears fans were miffed by the news that Matt Forte, the starting running back of the last eight seasons, was not being brought back (via ESPN). It is about a business that requires building a team with winning as the goal. Keeping Forte means not having the cap flexibility to add a Malik Jackson here, a Danny Trevathan there, or offering Alshon Jeffrey a market value deal.

Keeping Matt Forte would have all but assured the Bears would have to have hit Jeffrey with the franchise tag. Replacing him with a combination of Jeremy Langford, Kadeem Carey, and others frees up money that could be spent on offensive line upgrades.

The Chicago Bears expect to have wide receiver Alshon Jeffery in uniform next season and beyond.https://t.co/QJdF9OODs6

— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) February 24, 2016

As it stands right now, the Chicago Bears may be able to work out a deal with wide receiver Alshon Jeffery sooner rather than later. If so, the Bears will be able to save themselves from having to use the franchise tag. It would also give some additional salary cap flexibility, which could be used to truly build a complete roster. Doing so averts a similar problem that the Denver Broncos will be faced with in a few days.

[Photo by David Banks/Getty Images]