Dispelling a Myth
Look back over the recent history of the NFL and there are plenty of examples of a team losing a star receiver and that team still managing to win. The New England Patriots sent Randy Moss packing just four games into the 2010 season. Yet Tom Brady still won league MVP that year and reached the Super Bowl in 2011. Drew Brees lost Jimmy Graham two years ago via trade and his numbers barely wavered at all. Even the Bears can justify their ability to survive without Jeffery.
In those four games without him the Bears averaged 231.5 passing yards and 20 points per game. Without him? They averaged 253.5 yards and 16.5 points with him. Not exactly a ringing endorsement to his overall impact on the offense. In fact it’s still worth noting that Jeffery was at his best only when Chicago had Brandon Marshall on the field with him. Since Marshall was traded to New York, Jeffery has failed to crack 1,000 yards in a season.
This is what makes a Chicago Bears Pierre Garcon agreement that much more palatable. Garcon, though he may not be as talented, certain has been every bit as productive the past four years. Their yards and touchdown comparisons are surprisingly close.
- Jeffery (2013-2016): 4,182 yards and 23 touchdowns
- Garcon (2013-2016): 3,916 yards and 17 touchdowns
This is not to say the Bears should just up and let Alshon walk. They should do everything short of breaking the bank in order to keep him in place. What with a new quarterback likely coming in. Still, if losing him has become unavoidable then adding a craft, reliable veteran like Garcon wouldn’t be the end of the world. If nothing else it would buy the team time to figure out what they must do next.
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