Jeffery Flying To The Eagles

From a historical standpoint, Alshon Jeffery is one of the best receivers the Chicago Bears have ever had.

Entering on a one-year, $14 million dollar deal, Jeffrey was possibly the top free agent on the market. Philadelphia was tight on the cap, but as he has done in the past, Howie Roseman worked his magic and got it done.

More details as they become available. But they are not.

The Eagles are hoping he channels the past and is able to turn elite-level numbers in what is now one of the best offenses in the NFC (on paper). Attempts to bolster the position in the offseason fell flat, as free-agent pickups Rueben Randle and Chris Givens failed to make the roster.

Jeffery, 27, spent his first five seasons with the Chicago Bears, where he played past year under the franchise tag. Clearly, those strikes hampered Jeffery in negotiations, and clearly he is betting on himself. I was not anticipating a one-year deal.

Jeffery produced four consecutive seasons of at least 50 receptions and 800 receiving yards with the Bears, including back-to-back 1,000-yard campaigns in 2013 and 2014. He’s a big target in the red zone at 6’3, 218, and he does a great job on 50-50 balls down the field.

The departure of Marshall to the New York Jets made Jeffery the Bears’ leading receiver.

Jeffery played in only nine games in 2015, battling a knee injury, and caught 54 passes and scored four touchdowns. Jeffery is a legitimate number one and Smith is a legitimate number two.

The biggest takeaway from this deal is that the Philadelphia Eagles plan to compete in 2017.

Certainly center Jason Kelce and guard Allen Barbre are on thin ice with the signing of Warmack, because the two of them combined can save the Eagles over $5.5 million. Earlier in the day, the team announced a deal with former San Francisco wide receiver Torrey Smith. However, with Jeffery coming to town, Wentz now has a guy that he can trust.

Jeffery comes to the Eagles on a deal that is basically the same as a franchise tag but with a $2 million discount.

The Birds also parted with defensive end Connor Barwin in a cost-cutting move. But Pace doesn’t believe in building his team through free agency. That’s unprecedented spending for the Patriots in free agency. He is a legitimate “No. 1 receiver”.