Chicago Bears not expected to tag WR Alshon Jeffery again

The Chicago Bears are not expected to use the franchise tag again on wide receiver Alshon Jeffery, according to reports Monday.

Jeffery played under the tag in 2016, but NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported the Bears likely won't tag him for another season.

Jeffery, who was drafted by the Bears in the second round in 2012 out of South Carolina, could sign with another team once free agency begins on March 9. NFL teams have until Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET to use their franchise designation.

Jeffery, 27, earned $14.599 million under the tag last season. If the Bears utilized the tag on Jeffery again, it would cost them $17.5 million.

The 6-foot-3, 218-pound Jeffery saw his performance continue to drop off in 2016 as the Bears started three different quarterbacks -- Jay Cutler, Brian Hoyer and Matt Barkley.

In 2016, Jeffery finished with 52 passes catches for 821 yards and two touchdowns in 12 games as he dealt with a four-game suspension for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing drugs. He missed 11 games the past two seasons.

From 2013-14, Jeffery combined for 174 receptions, 2,554 yards and 17 touchdowns.