The Philadelphia Eagles thought they pulled off the heist of the century when they signed Alshon Jeffery in 2017. It certainly worked out early on. The wide receiver helped them win the Super Bowl that year. However, even then a lot of Chicago Bears fans were offering words of warning. Enjoy it while it lasts because he’ll find a way to wear out his welcome.
In hindsight, those words were prophetic. While the initial signing of Jeffery to a one-year deal was smart by the Eagles. The one thing they regret the most now is signing him to a four-year extension. That decision is looming larger and larger by the day. He missed multiple games in 2018 recovering from a torn rotator cuff. Then he dropped the critical pass that ended their season against the Saints in the playoffs. Along the way, he was also outed as a source who criticized Eagles QB Carson Wentz.
While some question the validity of that revelation, Jimmy Kempski of Philly Voice is hearing that several inside the organization believe it to be true.
“Many fans have questioned Eskin’s credibility on the subject, while others have chosen to pin it on outgoing players like Nelson Agholor or Malcolm Jenkins. However, I can confirm via a half dozen sources that it is accepted as fact inside the Eagles’ organization that Jeffery was indeed Anderson’s source.”
Then for good measure, the receiver got off to his worst start as an Eagle in 2019, made it 10 games and then suffered a Lisfranc injury that ended his season.
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Alshon Jeffery is, was, and always shall be a two-faced tease
None of this is shocking to Bears fans. They had the same experience with Jeffery. Great early on. Then a drop in a big game (season finale 2013). Finally the string of injuries. It’s the same song, second verse for his largely disappointing career. One this is certain. The Eagles know they’re stuck with him. If they had a way to be rid of this headache, he’d already be gone.
“If the Eagles could have cut Jeffery without penalty, he would already be gone. However, as a result of the re-done contract, Jeffery’s release would have come with an approximately $26 million dead money charge, spread over 2020 and 2021…
…If some GM called up Roseman and said, “Hey give us your fifth rounder next year and we’ll eat $10 million in cash for you,” Roseman would have Jeffery on the first flight out of Philly. But that call probably isn’t coming.”
All they can do is hope the guy finds a way to stay healthy and reach a common ground with a QB he’s not fond of. For Jeffery though, that’s probably asking too much.