Over the years, a certain sequence of events has been established for players who get the franchise tag and one of the most familiar beats has been those players skipping out on work with their teams until they sign the tag or a long-term contract.
Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery is following that blueprint with one tweak. Jeffery signed his tender with the Bears shortly after getting it, but has still opted to spend his time elsewhere while the team’s offseason program has gotten underway in Chicago.
The workouts are voluntary, so Jeffery isn’t required to be there, and Jeff Dickerson of ESPN.com reports that Jeffery told the team in advance that he was going to continue working out on his own in Florida. Per Dickerson, Jeffery is focused on putting an end to the soft tissue injuries to his calf and hamstring that forced him to miss seven games last season.
Doing so would be a boost to the Bears offense and to Jeffery’s chances of cashing in with a long-term deal after the 2016 season, assuming, of course, that he and the Bears don’t agree to one this offseason. They have until July 15 to work out a deal or Jeffery will play out the season with the $14.599 million salary called for by the tag.
The Bears don’t have any mandatory work until a June minicamp, although Jeffery may join the Bears ahead of those practices.