Alshon Jeffery Returns To Bears In 'Good Shape,' Says 'Team's Always First'
By Chris Emma--
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (CBS) -- There was a notable difference as the Bears offense took the field Tuesday.
Standing tall opposite receiver Kevin White was the 6-foot-3 target who can go up and get anything within range. Kyle Long's eyes lit up when he saw this sight. Alshon Jeffery was back at Halas Hall.
"I was so happy to see him this morning," Long said of Jeffery. "Even happier when I saw him in the huddle and we're calling passing plays. Even happier when I'm seeing him make huge catches in traffic.
"The defense has been celebrating too much. We put our secret weapon in there."
Jeffery returned for the Bears' mandatory minicamp Tuesday as if he had never been away, though he hadn't been at Halas Hall since cleaning out his locker after the 2015 season. Jeffery missed the team's offseason workout program and all of OTAs, opting to train with touted personal trainer David Alexander in Miami instead.
From the looks and sounds of it, the Bears' top receiver is in peak form.
"It's good to have him here," Bears coach John Fox said. "He looks to be in good shape. He's ready to roll."
The decision for Jeffery to work away from Lake Forest was in part decided by his agent, Tory Dandy of Relativity Sports. Dandy has stated that there was no contract dispute, and Jeffery reiterated that, claiming that he would be comfortable playing the 2016 season under the franchise tag, which pays out $14.6 million. Asked about reaching a long-term deal before the July 15 deadline, Jeffery gave little away, saying that was between Dandy and Pace.
While coach John Fox, offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains and general manager Ryan Pace each are on record in stating their desire to have had Jeffery present at optional work, the receiver was within his contractual right to miss voluntary workouts. Still, there's precedent -- former Bears tight end Martellus Bennett, for example -- in Fox losing patience for a player skipping team workouts.
Jeffery also made it clear that his decision to work in Miami shouldn't be portrayed as a selfish move.
"The team's always first," Jeffery said. "I'm on the Chicago Bears. I'm still under contract. Whatever else happens, that takes care of itself. Right now, I'm focused on the Chicago Bears. I'm here.
"I felt like it was the best situation for me."
During his time away since the season ended, Jeffery had been to Chicago twice -- once for a promotional event leading up to the NFL Draft, then again recently to throw out the first pitch at Wrigley Field. Neither trip included a visit to Halas Hall.
In 2015, Jeffery missed seven games with four different soft-tissue injuries. In working with Alexander, he gained knowledge to maintaining health and how to prepare his body for a long, grueling football season.
Jeffery has performed at an elite level when he's taken the field, though that didn't come frequently enough. The Bears offense struggled without its top receiver.
Perhaps 2016 can be a new, better season for Jeffery and the Bears.
"If we got him 100 percent for 16 games," said Cutler, "he's going to do some damage."
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 and like his Facebook page.
