Alshon Jeffery: Latest News, Rumors, Speculation Surrounding Free-Agent WR

Chicago Bears star receiver Alshon Jeffery is set to be a free agent this offseason and isn't committing to remaining in the Windy City for the time being.

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Jeffery Comments on Playing Future

Monday, Jan. 4

The 25-year-old Pro Bowler said, "Yes, it matters to me where I play next season. But, I'll let my agent figure that out," per Chicago Bears Radio Network's Zach Zaidman.

It certainly doesn't sound as though Jeffery is sold on staying in Chicago for the long haul. Further complicating the situation is the fact he appeared in only nine games this season, though he did produce when healthy with 54 receptions for 807 yards.

The modest NFL income Jeffery has made to date doesn't seem to be as important to him as success in the playoffs, a stage he has yet to reach through four years in the pros.

"It's not about the money, but it's also about what's the right situation for me. Like, winning a championship, that's all I care about," added Jeffery, per the Chicago Tribune's Rich Campbell.

After posting consecutive seasons of well over 1,000 yards prior to this year and successfully adjusting to a new, complex system under new offensive coordinator Adam Gase, Jeffery has a case for a big payday.

Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune weighed in on Jeffery's future:

The former second-round pick hasn't been making as much as top-tier skill players tend to make, somewhat due to his diminished draft status. What helps his cause on the open market is his exceptional play in 2015 without the benefit of a No. 1-caliber target to complement him.

Brandon Marshall's presence gave Jeffery more room to operate in years past, but Marshall's departure made Jeffery the primary focus of opposing game plans. It didn't really faze him, so he's wise to keep his options open and perhaps join a more promising situation than he may have with the Bears.

Chicago quarterback Jay Cutler has never been among the NFL's elite at the position. He's also gone through several different systems as the Bears' signal-caller and could be in for another new offense since Gase will be a hot head-coaching candidate.

The uncertainty surrounding Gase's future and Cutler's years of inconsistency seem to have Jeffery waffling on his commitment to the team that drafted him.

General manager Ryan Pace at least has a contingency plan of sorts in place if Jeffery departs. Pace chose Kevin White No. 7 overall in the 2015 NFL draft but saw the West Virginia product miss his entire rookie year due to injury.

White's own injury situation figures to impact how the Bears evaluate Jeffery's worth in their future plans. There are many moving parts in his impending decision in free agency, making it one of the more compelling offseason storylines to monitor.