In a move that comes as no surprise, the Bears on Monday placed a franchise tag on wide receiver Alshon Jeffery, one day before the NFL deadline to do so.
The tag precludes Jeffery from becoming an unrestricted free agent while guaranteeing him a one-year contract equal to the average of the NFL's five highest paid receivers.
The Bears can still sign Jeffery to a long-term deal through July 15. After that point, he may only sign a one-year contract with the Bears for the 2016 season and that deal cannot be extended until after the regular season.