Jeffery's return should be good for QB Barkley
Matt Barkley has already outperformed most expectations as the Bears' third starting quarterback this season, and he should be even better Sunday at home against the Packers in his fourth start.
For the first time as a starter, Barkley will be able to throw to Pro Bowl wide receiver Alshon Jeffery. Jeffery was back at Halas Hall Monday for the first time after serving a four-game suspension for using illegal performance-enhancing drugs.
The Bears don't practice until Wednesday, so a more thorough evaluation will have to wait. But Jeffery is still the Bears' leader in receiving yardage despite missing the previous four games, so just having him back in the building is nice.
"He's good to look at," coach John Fox said. "It's good to have him back. We'll see how he looks ... on Wednesday."
At 3-10 the Bears don't have much more than pride to play for, but with the chance to hit unrestricted free agency with some momentum, Jeffery does. With fresh legs and better overall health than if he had been getting banged around the past four weeks, Jeffery should hit the ground running.
"You'd like to think (so)," Fox said. "In Alshon's case, you're in a contract year, you're missing four games, and you've got three games left. I'd say you'd probably be pretty hard-pressed to (not) be in shape. I'm sure he'll be in tip-top shape, and then the coaches will get their hands on him Wednesday."
But there will be an adjustment period. Jeffery's only game experience with Barkley came in Week Seven in Green Bay, after Brian Hoyer left with a fractured arm, and Barkley played a bit more than two quarters in relief.
How quickly can Barkley and Jeffery develop a chemistry?
"Hopefully fast - like this week," Fox said. "We're playing a pretty good team here at our place. The passing game is timing and precision. Alshon knows our offense (but) this will be his third quarterback throwing to him. It will be an adjustment."
But adding a big-play threat, especially one with reliable hands, is a godsend for Barkley.
"The more guys the better, and especially Alshon, who's been in the system for so long," Barkley said. "He's a dynamic playmaker. Hopefully, he doesn't miss a step and comes right back (at) game speed, and we'll be able to do well."
Barkley's performance has been exceptional considering the drops that have plagued the Bears, who are 1-2 in his three starts. And Barkley has played without the Bears' top three wide receivers - Jeffery, Kevin White and Eddie Royal - plus No. 1 tight end Zach Miller. Despite all that, in his first three NFL starts, the four-year veteran has an 83.0 passer rating.
"If we could have played better around him, we could very easily be 3-0 in those three starts," Fox said. "Unfortunately, that's not the case, and that's part of the growing pains you go through with where we're at right now."
In recent weeks the Bears have made a habit of competing hard but falling just short. Against a Packers pass defense that has struggled most of the season, maybe Jeffery's return could help get them over the hump.
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