Bears place franchise tag on WR Jeffery

The Bears have made Alshon Jeffery the fourth player to receive their franchise designation, a move that unofficially places player and team on the contract clock after initial efforts to reach a long-term contract fell short.

Chatter that the Bears were going to use the franchise tag on wide receiver Alshon Jeffery has been going on since before the end of the 2015 season and a report over the weekend indicated that they had made the decision to go that route.

The Bears didn’t specify if they were using the exclusive or the non-exclusive tag, but either way there’s no chance the Bears are allowing Jeffery to walk away this offseason.

Jeffery missed a large chunk of the 2015 season for the Bears as he dealt with a series of leg issues.

Talks between the Bears and Jeffery regarding the framework for a long-term deal continue, the source told Anderson.

The move positions Jeffery for $14.599 million guaranteed for 2016.

Chicago last used the franchise tag in 2013 on defensive tackle Henry Melton.

The second-round selection (45th overall) in the 2012 NFL Draft is one of five players in franchise history with two 1,000-yard receiving seasons, accomplishing the feat in 2013 (1,421 yards) and 2014 (1,133 yards). Jeffery is also granted the option of signing an extension with other teams if he is granted permission by the Bears.

Jeffery was limited to nine games last season due to injuries to his calf, hamstring, groin and shoulder. He set career highs with 89 catches for 1,421 yards in 2013. He also tied a franchise record last season with three-straight 100-yard receiving games and had four such contests previous year overall.