Chicago Bears Expecting Breakout Year from WR Alshon Jeffery

Dec 30, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (17) before the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Bears and quarterback Jay Cutler have one of the best wide receivers the NFL has to offer in Brandon Marshall, but both are hoping for someone to emerge across from him in 2013.

That someone would be second-year receiver Alshon Jeffery. Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk has the quote from the Bears coaching staff:

"“I’ll say this about Alshon: He’s really invested,” Groh said. “I have seen improvement in the very short time I have been able to work with him. He certainly has tremendous potential.”"

The Spin: Of course the Bears are expecting big things from Jeffery, especially after he had trouble becoming a major contributor in his rookie year.

Now that Jeffery has had time to adapt to the league there should not be a slump, but to expect a massive jump in statistics would be a bit unreasonable. Marshall is still going to see the majority of the targets, tight end Martellus Bennett will eat up some, and running backs such as Matt Forte are known to see a large number of passes in Mark Trestman’s offense.

Jeffery has all the potential in the world, but it’s going to be a few years before we truly see a breakout season.

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