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Alshon Jeffery headlines new-look receiver group for Eagles, Carson Wentz
Posted On Mar 10 2017
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The San Francisco 49ers are expected to sign wide receivers Pierre Garcon and Marquise Goodwin when free agency opens, and now any thought of Alshon Jeffery is off the table.
Jeffery, who spent his first five seasons with the Chicago Bears, heads to Philly along with Torrey Smith, who agreed to a three-year deal earlier Thursday. He also only played two games in 2016 after having surgery to fix a torn tendon is his hand. In 12 games last season, he only had 20 receptions for 267 yards and three touchdowns.
Despite lowering his desirability in free agency, Jeffery’s upside can not be denied.
Even those abbreviated seasons were far better than the production the Eagles have gotten from their outside receivers over the last two years, particularly last year with Nelson Agholor and Dorial Green-Beckham.
There’s no question that Jeffery is a Pro Bowl stud, who has had a couple of outstanding years, 89 catches for 1421 yards and 7 touchdowns in 2013. Jeffery previously played for the Chicago Bears, who selected him with the 45th pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. By forgoing a long-term deal that was no doubt on the table for him from some franchise, Jeffery is banking on not getting another soft-tissue injury and not getting popped again for violating the league’s PED policy. He’s signing with the Eagles.
Jeffery gives the Eagles size and Smith gives them speed on the outside. Roseman wouldn’t say, simply stating that they are confident once Jeffery gets in the building he will want to stay longterm.
Releasing Barwin saved the team almost $8 million against the salary cap.
Britt’s new contract averages $8.125 million over four years, ESPN reported, and Stills’ averages $8 million, NFL Network reported. Smith will follow around 2:15 then Jeffery and Warmack will have their news conferences at about 4:30.
The fantasy victor here is QB Carson Wentz, who has an interesting complement of weapons after finishing 2016 with a horrendous corps of wide receivers.
