Alshon Jeffery Sends Murky Message to Chicago Bears By Skipping Workout With Jay Cutler

By Ryan Heckman

July 8, 2015

Earlier this week, Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler met up with a group of his receivers in Tennessee to conduct a workout. The group consisted primarily of Eddie Royal and Martellus Bennett, among others, and they were busy posting photos on social media bragging about the great time they were having together. To Bears fans everywhere, this would typically put a smile on their faces.

However, there was one particular name missing from the group: No. 1 wideout Alshon Jeffery. Now, players all have different summer plans. They visit old friends, spend time with family and even travel abroad. What was Jeffery doing instead of working out with Cutler?

Just ask former Bears receiver Brandon Marshall; or take a look at his Instagram account. Jeffery chose to spend that time working out with his former teammate, Marshall, instead of with his quarterback.

What kind of message is this supposed to send to the fans, organization, teammates and, specifically, his quarterback? If you ask me, it is a bit murky.

The fact that Jeffery has trained with Marshall in the past is somewhat of a rational explanation. The two have been great friends since Jeffery was drafted a couple of years ago, and Marshall was instrumental in helping Jeffery take such an enormous leap from his rookie year to his sophomore year. I get that. It makes sense.

But, something that has gone unnoticed amongst this situation is the fact that Jeffery will now be in the last year of his contract. He is set to become a free agent in 2016 and, for all we know, his eyes could already be set somewhere outside of Chicago.

It’s no secret Cutler is far from the perfect quarterback and is questionable at best when it comes to his leadership on the field. Has Jeffery seen enough of Cutler already? Is his head already focused on cashing in on a huge deal in 2016? I’m not sure about that. All I know is Jeffery doesn’t think highly enough of his quarterback to attend a workout with both he and his fellow receivers.

You tell me what it means.

Ryan Heckman is a writer for www.RantSports.com covering the NBA and NFL. Follow him on Twitter, “Like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google.