Chicago Bears icon Brian Urlacher has made it clear he wants to remain in Chicago and doesn't care to test the free agent market. Urlacher may get his wish after all, as the Bears and their star linebacker are working toward a contract agreement before the start of free agency, according to NBC's Pro Football Talk.
Brian Urlacher, Bears reportedly engaged in contract discussions
The Chicago Bears are in ongoing contract talks with impending free agent linebacker and franchise icon Brian Urlacher.
Jonathan Daniel
Lou Canellis of FOX 32 News in Chicago said Urlacher’s agents made an offer to the Bears Thursday morning. Vaughn McClure of the Chicago Tribune confirmed the report, and said the Urlacher’s agents are waiting for a counter offer now.
Urlacher was limited to 12 games in 2012 and showed a decline in skills when he was on the field. He finished the season with 68 tackles, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and an interception. Urlacher missed four games because of a Grade 2 hamstring strain that he suffered during Chicago's loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 13.
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Chicago selected Urlacher with the No. 9 overall pick of the 2000 NFL Draft. Since then, he has entrenched his name into Bears history and has become synonymous with Chicago’s tough defense. Urlacher has been named to the Pro Bowl eight times and is a five-time All-Pro. He was named the AP’s 2005 Defensive Player of the Year and is also a member of the NFL’s 2000s All-Decade Team.
Urlacher’s future in Chicago has been mired in uncertainty -- especially after head coach Lovie Smith was relieved of his duties and replaced by Marc Trestman.
Still, it looks as though the Bears and Urlacher will come to an agreement sooner rather than later. Free agency is set to open on March 12, and the Bears could look to prevent him from hitting the open market.
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