Chicago Bears all-pro wideout Alshon Jeffery has been suspended by the NFL for a violation of their performance-enhancing drugs policy. The team is most likely not going to sniff the playoffs this year and quite possibly their best player won’t be around for four out of the remaining seven games.
The Bears tweeted out the news followed up by a statement from head coach John Fox.
To begin immediately, Alshon Jeffery has been suspended the next 4 games for violating the NFL policy on performance enhancing substances.
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) November 14, 2016
Fox on Alshon suspension: "Obviously we’re very disappointed."
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) November 14, 2016
Chicago is 2-7 with little-to-no hopes for the postseason. After a blowout loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers over the weekend, they remained at the bottom of the NFC North standings. They will be without Jeffery for games against the New York Giants, Tennessee Titans, San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions through Dec. 11. He is eligible return against the Green Bay Packers on Dec. 18.
Jeffery was the lone bright spot this year and after they elected to not trade him at the trade deadline, many hoped it was a sign of a potential new contract for the wideout. Now, that might be up in the air. His 630 yards and 15.8 yards per catch on 40 receptions both lead the team in 2016.
The Bears are undoubtedly in a rebuilding stage and guys like Jeffery and even quarterback Jay Cutler might not survive the offseason with the Bears.
