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The Chicago Bears used the non-exclusive franchise tag on wide receiver Alshon Jeffery in February, but the two sides are still not close to a long-term deal ahead of Friday's deadline.

Continue for updates.

Jeffery Far Apart on New Contract Discussions with Bears

Thursday, July 14

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that a new deal is not expected to be reached between Jeffery and the Bears, barring an "unlikely change."

NFL Network's Mike Garafolo said on July 7 that "there's not a lot of confidence," when discussing a potential contract extension, per Tyler Dragon of NFL.com.

"I sense that both sides really don't feel strongly about this one," Garafolo added. "That's because Alshon Jeffery's got a $14.6 million tag. The Bears wanted to come in a couple of million below that."

Jeffery, Bears Could Strike New Pact

Tuesday, June 21

According to a post by ESPN.com's Jeremy Fowler on Facebook, "the Bears and Jeffery have continued to talk about a long-term contract, and a new deal is certainly possible. [The] July 15 deadline gives plenty of time. If a deal happens, it will be late in [the] process."

Jeffery is slated to earn $14.6 million during the 2016 season if he plays under the terms of the franchise tag.

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Jeffery Has Emerged as One of Chicago's Top Stars

The Bears have been committed to Jeffery all along, and general manager Ryan Pace expressed optimism at February's NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis that the wide receiver reciprocated interest in maintaining a long-term relationship.

"I sense he wants to be here," Pace said, per the Chicago Tribune's Brad Biggs. "We're the team that drafted him. He loves the city of Chicago. He's comfortable in the [offense]."

Jeffery was limited to just nine appearances last season because of injuries, but he changed the complexion of Chicago's offense when he was healthy.

Alshon Jeffery's Career Numbers Season Games Targets Receptions Rec. Yds TD 2012 10 48 24 367 3 2013 16 148 89 1,421 7 2014 16 145 85 1,133 10 2015 9 94 54 807 4 Source: Pro-Football-Reference.com

Not only did he haul in 54 passes for 807 yards and four scores during his half-season stint, but Jeffery opened up the field for the rest of the Bears' weapons. According to ESPN Stats & Info, Chicago averaged six yards per play with him on the field and 4.8 with him off.

Jeffery is also far and away quarterback Jay Cutler's top target.

Case in point: After being targeted 148 and 145 times, respectively, during the 2013 and 2014 seasons, Jeffery still managed 94 targets in just nine games last season. Not surprisingly, that number topped the charts among Bears receivers.

Given his ability to stretch the field and take the pressure off of Chicago's other outside options, Jeffery should be considered an indispensable piece of the team's future.