While the Chicago Bears continue to work toward a long-term deal with Alshon Jeffery, they will need more time to hammer out the details. Therefore, in a move that comes as little surprise, the team applied the franchise tag to their top receiver on Monday. That decision, which had to be made official by the end of league business Tuesday, will now give general manager Ryan Pace and the Bears front office until July 15 to work toward a new contract while preventing Jeffery from hitting the open market when free agency begins next week. If Jeffery and the Bears can’t hammer out a new deal by July 15, the 26-year-old receiver would play the 2016 season on a one-year tender that will be worth $14.599 million. - See more at: http://www.chicagotribune.com/sport...hon-jeffery-franchise-tag-20160229-story.html
