The Bear's Den: January 17, 2017 - Should Chicago Re-up Jeffery?

The Den will be taking a look at one of the Chicago Bears' 2017 unrestricted free agents (UFA's) and restricted free agents (RFA's) each day until we have knocked out the list.

I will be talking about the player, whether I personally would sign the player and to what contract, and what my best guess the Bears will do with him.

I'm actually going to cut the descriptive short today, because if you are a Bears fan, you know all about Alshon Jeffery, the fact that he played under the franchise tag, his outstanding talent as well as all the games he has missed (or played hobbled) hurt. You also know about his four-game suspension for performance enhancing drugs this season.

Jeffery is an UFA, and the Bears can either sign him, franchise tag him again or not meet another team's offer. Ryan Pace & the organization has been very complimentary towards Jeffery at season's end, perhaps sending a signal that Chicago would like him back. Jeffery also has stated that he would like to play for Chicago.

Would I re-up Alshon? Yes. We need playmakers, he is a playmaker. He wants money, we have money. Do it.

Do I think Chicago re-up's him? Yes, and for the same reason I would.

Will it happen? Do you want it to happen? What are your thoughts on Alshon?

BEAR DOWN, CHICAGO BEARS, BEAR DOWN!!!!

BEARRRSSSS

Kosko: Biggest Offseason Question For Eliminated Teams - Pro Football Focus - For Chicago, Jay Cutler is this generation's Jeff George, immense talent, but could never put it together. Cutler could still have three, maybe four years left in his tank if on the right team, but that team shouldn't be Chicago.

Olson: Why a smart move for the NFL is a second Chicago franchise - Pro Football Weekly - I don’t understand the obsession these NFL owners have with moving their teams to Los Angeles.

Mayer: Remembering Bears who passed away in 2016 - ChicagoBears.com - Several former Bears players and coaches passed away in 2016. We pay tribute to those we lost, including quarterback Bill Wade, a member of the 1963 NFL championship team.

Kwiecinski: A look at some of Devin Hester’s best kick returns as a Chicago Bear - Bears Wire - The Seattle Seahawks' 36-20 playoff loss to the Atlanta Falcons wasn't just the end of the their season. It was also the end of Devin Hester's NFL career.

Cox: Bears OLB Grades edge rushers were mostly effective when available - Bears Wire - The Chicago Bears couldn't always count on having the same outside linebackers each week, but they still were able to get the job done.

Finley's podcast: Who will be the next Bears Pro Bowler? Is he on team? - Chicago Sun-Times - The Chicago Sun-Times' Patrick Finley sets odds for which player will be the Bears' next Pro Bowler:

Former Bears return ace Hester says he's retiring - Chicago Sun-Times - Former Bears return man Devin Hester, who signed with the Seattle Seahawks just before the playoffs, says he likely has played his last NFL game.

Boden: From busting returns to a bust in Canton - CSN Chicago - Devin Hester changed the Bears' fortunes in the late 2000s. He also changed the way we think about returners and the impact they have.

Mullin: Cautionary quarterback tales for Bears as playoffs move along - CSN Chicago - As NFL playoff contenders continue to succeed with the right quarterback, Moon Mullin breaks down the Bears' situation.

LeGere: Chicago Bears' secondary lacks needed playmakers - Daily Herald - Aside from Chicago Bears defensive backs treating the football as if it were a live grenade, they weren't awful, especially if one considers how many young players were forced into vital roles. But the Bears had just 8 interceptions, and general manager Ryan Pace said finding playmakers in the secondary is a major goal in the off-season.

DRAFT / PROSPECTS / FREE AGENCY

DS's 2017 NFL Mock Draft has Bears taking Kizer - DraftSite.com - Full round 2017 NFL mock draft projections, with trades and compensatory picks based on weekly team projections and college and amateur player rankings.

2017 NFL Mock Draft Has Bears taking Trubisky - Fantasy Football Prophet - Plus link to podcast.

Easterling: 2017 NFL mock draft latest 3-round projections, Bears take Adams - The Draft Wire - In his latest 2017 NFL mock draft, Draft Wire editor Luke Easterling lays out three rounds of updated projections

Jeremiah: Senior Bowl participation offers more upside than risk for Watson - NFL.com - The news that Deshaun Watson has been invited to the Senior Bowl has sparked a debate about whether the QB should participate in the event. Former scout Daniel Jeremiah weighs in.

Kadar's 2017 NFL mock draft: What if only seniors got drafted? - SBNation.com - This week we exclude all juniors and redshirt sophomores from the draft.

POLISH SAUSAGE

Boden & Payne: Jim Irsay reportedly wants Peyton Manning to run Colts - Chicago Tribune - In the aftermath of the the Indianapolis Colts' second straight disappointing season, the owner seemed poised to bring back Coach Chuck Pagano and General

Maske: NFL teams that didn't wait on Kyle Shanahan may have made a mistake - Chicago Tribune - The Atlanta Falcons played the Seattle Seahawks in an NFC semifinal Saturday in Atlanta, and the real winner was the San Francisco 49ers.

Boren: Chargers are finding that L.A. really isn't sunnier than San Diego - Chicago Tribune - The Los Angeles Chargers unveiled their latest, not-so-greatest logo on the video screen during a game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers, and the

Podlesny: Chiefs fans were so sad after playoff loss they left their grills in the parking lot - SBNation.com - Arrowhead Stadium became a hellscape.

Thomas: Antonio Brown secretly posts video of Mike Tomlin talking Patriots - SBNation.com - The video contained a little bulletin board material for the Patriots.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Wiltfong: Devin Hester likely to retire, next stop Canton - Windy City Gridiron - After Seattle’s playoff game, former Bears great Devin Hester said that this was probably his final season in the NFL.

FANPOSTS

FanPosts - Recent - Windy City Gridiron - Here's a link to our FanPost section, where YOU have the opportunity to contribute to Windy City Gridiron. Take a few minutes and write a post about what you are thinking about regarding the Chicago Bears, and there'a chance it will be linked right here in the Den.

THE RULES

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