Oh I know Bears fans are pissed!!! I used to live in Chicago and those Bears fans LOVE them some Brian Urlacher. Yesterday the Bears announced that they were unable to sign Urlacher & are moving in another direction. So what happened?! Check out what Brian had to say about the situation.
Via ESPN:
The Chicago Bears are moving forward without Brian Urlacher after the two sides were unable to reach an agreement on a free-agent deal, the team announced Wednesday.
Urlacher told the Chicago Tribune that he originally sought a two-year deal worth $11.5 million with hopes that it would lead to negotiations.
But the Bears’ only offer to the star linebacker was a one-year contract worth $2 million, sources told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.
“It wasn’t even an offer; it was an ultimatum,” Urlacher told the Tribune. “I feel like I’m a decent player still. It was insulting, somewhat of a slap in the face.”
Urlacher countered with a one-year, $3.5 million offer with incentives that would have allowed him to make an additional $500,000, league sources told ESPN’s Ed Werder. But Chicago never budged.
Although Bears general manager Phil Emery indicated Urlacher was ready to move on, the 13-year veteran would prefer to finish his career in Chicago, a source familiar with the situation told Schefter.
Urlacher told the Tribune there are no hard feelings left with the organization and that he doesn’t plan to retire. He feels healthy and is determined to play at least one more NFL season, according to league sources.
“We were unable to reach an agreement with Brian and both sides have decided to move forward,” Emery said in a statement.
“Brian has been an elite player in our league for over a decade. He showed great leadership and helped develop a winning culture over his time with the Bears. We appreciate all he has given our team, on and off the field. Brian will always be welcome as a member of the Bears.”
(STORY CONTINUES…)
