Eagles to sign Alshon Jeffery

By Tim Kelly, Sports Talk Philly editor

The Philadelphia Eagles have agreed to a one-year deal with wide receiver Alshon Jeffery, per multiple outlets:

Alshon Jeffery to the Eagles for 1 year — $14M

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2017

Alshon Jeffery to Eagles, per @JosinaAnderson

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2017

It's not immediately clear why Jeffery only signed a one-year contract, but multiple reporters (including Ian Rapoport) have suggested that Jeffery's market didn't progress in a way that pleased him. So essentially, Jeffery is playing on the franchise tag for the team. 

Less than a half hour before free-agency officially began, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that the Minnesota Vikings had emerged as a contender to land Jeffery's services. It's possible that leak came from Jeffery's camp, in a last second attempt to push both the Bears, who play in the same division, to improve their offer. 

Certainly, signing Jeffery will give quarterback Carson Wentz a legitimate No. 1 wide receiver, something the Eagles badly lacked in his first season. The team also signed veteran Torrey Smith to a three-year contract this afternoon, as they attempt to retool their wide receiving corps around their franchise quarterback. 

Jordan Matthews, who is entering the final season of his rookie contract, could be a part of the rebuilt receiving corps, or he could be traded now that he's no longer the team's best wide receiver.