NFC North 2017 Offseason Predictions
![Nov 13, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (17) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. The Buccaneers won 36-10. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports Nov 13, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (17) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. The Buccaneers won 36-10. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/3233771163c6e49e971aa89bbfe12639b259b931556fcddf4f082e2ea33353d4.jpg)
Chicago Bears
Prediction: The team will resign WR Alshon Jeffrey
In today’s NFL, you need a deep wide receiver corps. You also need a clear cut #1 receiver.
Chicago has that in Alshon Jeffrey. As we enter the offseason, Jeffrey appears to be headed into the free agency market as a coveted wide out.
Letting Jeffrey hit the market would be a considerable gamble. For one, they do not have enough assets in place to allow such move to occur. Third-year receiver Kevin White has shown very little during his two seasons as a professional. White only has 19 career catches in two seasons or four games of play to be exact. Receiver Cameron Meredith had a productive 2016 season and the team may want to see what they receive from him in 2017.
With the wide receiver market in free agency pretty scarce and the draft being an even bigger gamble, it would be smart for the Bears to ante up and give Jeffrey a deal in order to keep him in Chicago. Jeffrey played under the tag in 2016 which was near $15 million. A four-game suspension during the season may have hindered Jeffrey’s FA intentions enough to relinquish leverage in his contractual talks. Either way, it may be smart for the Bears to bring back their best receiver. Even with the Bears having an estimation of $60 million dollars to utilize during free agency.