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Jeffery finds 14 million reasons to sign with Eagles

Former Pro Bowl wide receiver Alshon Jeffery has left the Bears for the Philadelphia Eagles.

The good news is that the Bears could get him back a year from now, although it's unlikely either side would be interested in a reunion. Jeffery agreed to a one-year, $14 million, bet-on-yourself deal with the Eagles after testing the market and not finding a long-term deal to his liking.

So the 2013 Pro Bowl pick essentially slapped the franchise tag on himself, hoping to have a year similar to his 2013 and 2014 seasons with the Bears that will create a better market for his services in 2018.

In those two monster seasons with the Bears, Jeffery totaled 174 receptions, 2,554 yards and 17 touchdowns and averaged 14.7 yards per catch. But multiple injuries in 2015 and a four-game suspension for use of performance-enhancing drugs in 2016 resulted in two-year totals of 102 catches, 1,628 yards, 6 touchdowns and 15.4 yards per catch.

Jeffery had talked about wanting to remain with the Bears, and the team continued to negotiate with his representative. But he chose to take his chances in an unfamiliar Eagles offense with Carson Wentz as his quarterback rather than a familiar Bears system under new quarterback Mike Glennon.

• Follow Bob's Bears reports on Twitter @BobLeGere.

  Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (17) celebrates his second-quarter touchdown with quarterback Jay Cutler (6) against Washington at Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
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