Philadelphia Eagles Talking Trade With Chicago Bears For WR Alshon Jeffery
The Philadelphia Eagles can become a special team if they are able to shore up one of their weaknesses. With the NFL trade deadline quickly approaching, the Eagles are looking at addressing their biggest need — wide receiver.
Wide receiver is the one spot on the offense where the Eagles can use some assistance. Rookie quarterback Carson Wentz will be better served with a few passing targets. Wentz has the Philadelphia Eagles on solid footing with a 4-2 record, but they are in the thick of a crowded NFC East divisional picture. Every team in the NFC East has a record of 4-3 or better. The Eagles getting Carson Wentz some help at wide receiver could separate them from the pack.
As of now, Jordan Matthews is the only reliable receiver on the Eagles’ roster. Everyone else is still trying to prove their worth to the team. That will not stop the Philadelphia Eagles from exploring the NFL trade market, and there is strong chance the Eagles will add a wide receiver before the end of the deadline.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz has not struggled reading NFL defenses in his rookie campaign. Eagles head coach Doug Pederson has prepared Wentz well. Adding a top receiver or at least a reliable one makes Pederson’s job easier.
The Eagles have reportedly made inquiries to a few teams while in search of some targets for Carson Wentz. One of those calls went to a team the Eagles have played this season.
According to CSN Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Eagles have made calls to the Chicago Bears about the availability of Pro Bowl wide receiver Alshon Jeffery. Whether or the Eagles can pry Alshon Jeffery from the Bears remains to be seen, but it is an interesting idea.
Alshon Jeffery to the #Eagles?
Joe Thomas to the #Seahawks?
5 NFL trades we'd like to see:https://t.co/QOY2iOqziB pic.twitter.com/FcEEJ6mQ1z
— PFF (@PFF) October 28, 2016
Getting Alshon Jeffery from the Bears would give the Eagles a top-flight pass-catcher rivaling the other top targets in the NFC East. That division includes Dez Bryant, Odell Beckham Jr., Jordan Reed, and the emerging Sterling Shepard. If the Eagles were to add either of them to Carson Wentz’s arsenal, each would be an upgrade over Jordan Matthews. The Bears Alshon Jeffery would be no exception.
This is not a slight to Matthews. He has had a solid season so far, and he is a fine receiver, but at best, he would be a No. 2 or No. 3 receiver on the Bears. Matthews is the Eagles’ top target, which says a lot about the receiving situation in Philadelphia.
As much as it would elevate the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC pantheon if they were to add Alshon Jeffery, are the Chicago Bears looking to trade him?
NFL.com’s Ian Rappaport have shot down the idea of an Eagles and Bears swap. Rappaport says the report about the Eagles trading for the Bears’ Alshon Jeffery had no merit.
Are the Chicago Bears interested in unloading Alshon Jeffery, who is their best player? Even if the Eagles were to offer a first or second round draft the Bears may still balk at the idea. The Bears should trade him and get something for him in an effort to finish hitting the reset button. The Bears are an organization which traditionally does not operate that way.
Then there is the issue about the Bears wanting to lock Jeffery up to a long-term contract. No agreement (courtesy of the Chicago Tribune) could be met between the Bears and Jeffery, which is something the Philadelphia Eagles should take notice of. Getting Jeffery would mean that a potential contract impasse could wind up becoming a problem for the Eagles.
Jeffery could walk away for nothing unless the Bears hit him with the franchise tag for a second consecutive year. If the Eagles acquired him from the Bears, keeping him beyond this season would be questionable. That would factor into what the Eagles offered the Bears for Alshon Jeffery.
Simply put, there is no way for the Philadelphia Eagles to trade for the Chicago Bears’ Alshon Jeffery. There are too many variables that have to come into play. In order to get Doug Peterson and Carson Wentz some help, the Eagles will have to look elsewhere. The Philadelphia Eagles getting Torrey Smith from the San Francisco 49ers is a good plan B.
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