Alshon Jeffery Reportedly Will Not Be Given Franchise Tag by Bears

After using the franchise tag on wide receiver Alshon Jeffery last offseason, the Chicago Bears are reportedly not expected to do the same this year. 

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Chicago is likely to allow the 27-year-old to hit the open market. Jeff Dickerson of ESPN confirmed Rapoport's report.

Jeffery finished 2016 with 52 receptions for 821 yards and two touchdowns. He missed four games due to a suspension for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing drug policy.

He also sat out seven games in 2015 due to injury, but he was productive when healthy with 807 yards and four scores.

The second-round pick out of South Carolina topped the 1,000-yard mark in both 2013 and 2014, and he was named to his only Pro Bowl in 2013 after a career-high 89 catches and 1,421 yards to go along with seven touchdowns.

At 6'4" and 230 pounds, Jeffery is a matchup nightmare for opposing cornerbacks, but his inability to remain on the field in recent years makes investing heavily in him risky.

According to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com, however, the Philadelphia Eagles are among the teams that may be willing to pay a significant price to land him.

Should the Bears allow Jeffery to walk, they may need to turn to the draft.

Kevin White was Chicago's first-round pick in 2015, but he has just 19 receptions in four career games due to injury. Cameron Meredith emerged to lead the Bears with 66 grabs for 888 yards and four TDs in 2016, and veteran Eddie Royal remains in the mix as a slot receiver as well.

Chicago also has an unsettled quarterback situation with Jay Cutler likely to be sent packing, but it does own the No. 3 overall pick in the draft. Should the Bears bring in a young quarterback without a true No. 1 wideout, it will make the learning curve even steeper.