Bears continuing negotiations to sign Alshon Jeffery

INDIANAPOLIS - Bears general Ryan Pace is keeping his options open as negotiations continue with Pro Bowl wide receiver Alshon Jeffery, who can become an unrestricted free agent on March 9.

"We're actively and aggressively negotiating right now," Pace said Wednesday morning at the NFL Scouting Combine. "We understand the deadline is Tuesday (March 1) for the franchise tag. That's an option. We have until Tuesday to make that decision, but right now that's kind of ongoing."

Jeffery suffered four different soft-tissue injuries last season and missed seven starts but still led the Bears with 54 catches for 807 yards. In the previous two years, when Jeffery played in all 16 games each season, he had a combined 174 receptions for 2,554 yards and 17 touchdowns.

"We've seen enough of him, albeit we'd like to have seen him more, but that's part of football, and we're willing to take that risk," coach John Fox said. "When he's been healthy, we've liked his production and what he brings to our team."

That elite production, offset by an injury-marred season, makes Jeffery a likely candidate for the franchise tag.

He would be the most highly sought and highly paid unrestricted free agent wide receiver if he hits the open market. There have been rumors that he wants to move on, but Pace said that's not his impression.

"I've heard that," he said. "I sense he wants to be here. We're the team that drafted him. He loves the city of Chicago. He's comfortable in the offense, and I sense that he wants to be here."

By using the franchise tag, the Bears would lock Jeffery up for one more season at a guaranteed $14.1 million for 2016 and the option of rewarding him with a long-term deal a year from now. His price for a multiyear deal is expected to be around $12 million per season if he hits the market.

"We've got a great sports team around him," Pace said, referring to sports nutritionists, trainers and strength coaches. "I've said this before: 'I think being in Year Two with a player helps a lot just understanding his body and his body mechanics.' I know him and his agent are doing some things, too, to improve on that. When he gets back, we'll have a plan in place. It's important."

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