Bears part ways with veteran LB Brian Urlacher
Photo
In this Oct. 7, 2012, file photo, Chicago Bears middle linebacker Brian Urlacher watches from the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Jacksonville, Fla. The Bears announced on Wednesday, March 20, 2013, that they were unable to reach a contract agreement with Urlacher, who is an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career.
CHICAGO — The Chicago Bears are parting ways with veteran linebacker Brian Urlacher after 13 years.
General manager Phil Emery said Wednesday that the team couldn't agree on a contract with Urlacher, for years the heart and face of the franchise. He is now a free agent after being slowed by a knee problem and then missing the last four games of the season with a hamstring injury.
"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."
The 34-year-old Urlacher, an eight-time Pro Bowl player, started 180 games from 2000 through 2012, recording a team-record 1,779 tackles. The ninth overall selection in the 2000 draft has 41.5 sacks, 22 interceptions, 16 fumble recoveries and 11 forced fumbles. He was the AP's defensive player of the year in 2005 and helped lead the 2006 team to the Super Bowl.
"Over the last 13 years Brian Urlacher has been an outstanding player, teammate, leader and face of our franchise," chairman George McCaskey said. "As Bears fans, we have been lucky to have such a humble superstar represent our city. He embodies the same characteristics displayed by the Bears all-time greats who played before him and he will eventually join many of them in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. We thank Brian for all he has given our team and our city. He will always be a part of the Bears family. We wish him the very best."
The parting with Urlacher is just the latest change in what's been a busy offseason for Chicago.
The Bears fired coach Lovie Smith after a second straight late collapse left them out of the playoffs for the fifth time in six years, although they did finish with 10 wins.
They replaced him with the offensive-minded Marc Trestman, hoping he could get the most out of quarterback Jay Cutler, and addressed two major issues in free agency by signing left tackle Jermon Bushrod from New Orleans and tight end Martellus Bennett from the New York Giants.
Trestman also said that the Bears wouldn't change much from the cover-2 scheme they ran under Smith, but he offered what seemed like lukewarm endorsements when asked in recent weeks about Urlacher.
Now, they're parting ways. And the Bears have big holes to fill at the position.
Their only starting linebacker under contract is Lance Briggs. Strong side linebacker Nick Roach — who also saw time in the middle — signed with Oakland.
It's not clear what's next for Urlacher. He had said he wanted to return to the Bears and had posted pictures on Twitter in recent weeks indicating he was working his way back into shape, but whether he will latch on with another team remains to be seen.
His agents did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment.
Last seaso, Urlacher sprained his medial collateral ligament and partially sprained the posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during the 2011 regular-season finale against Minnesota and hasn't been the same since then.
He barely participated in training camp, had an arthroscopic procedure in mid-August to relieve the swelling, and spent most of the season trying to regain his old form.
Then, he came up lame in coverage on the second-to-last snap of the Bears' overtime loss to Seattle in early December, an injury that ended his season and his tenure with the Bears.
Mar 22, 2013 at 8:24 a.m.
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"But as a Republican", Politics in everything?There is so much more to this thing called life, IMO.
Mar 21, 2013 at 8:12 p.m.
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I think that the issue here goes to employers being loyal to long-term employees who have served them very well for very many years. But as a Republican, Bill, I understand why you didn't comprehend that issue.
Mar 21, 2013 at 3:23 p.m.
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I found Urlacher's statements since the Bears' announcement to be rather contradictory. Urlacher called the bears' offer of $2 million for 1 year a "slap in the face". Then he said that he realizes that $2 million is a lot of money. If $2 million is a lot of money then the offer is not a slap in the face. If the offer is a slap in the face then clearly Urlacher doesn't think that $2 million is a lot of money. I think that Mr. Urlacher should consider just how limited his earnings potential outside of football really are. Then indeed he would see that $2 million is a lot of money for one years' work and not a slap in the face after all.
Mar 21, 2013 at 3 p.m.
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As Lovie said when hired, his main goal was to beat the Packers. That gave the Bears fairly low expectations.
The Bears still suck no matter who is coaching and good news for the Pack.
Unless 54 goes to Minnesota or Detroit.
Not a smart move, he's one of the best. Even at his age.
Mar 21, 2013 at 11:15 a.m.
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@why-think..............I'm so sorry,that you're a Bear fan ..... O_O
Mar 21, 2013 at 10:08 a.m.
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As a HUGE Bear fan I am bummed that it has come to this. However, this was the correct football decision for the bears. It is unfortunate, but Urlacher is not the player he once was and if $2,000,000/year is not enough than Urlacher can move on.
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I wish him well and hope he ends up on a team outside of the NFC North and NOT on the Bears home schedule.
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GO BEARS!!!
Mar 21, 2013 at 9:36 a.m.
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Illdrinktothat: Please keep drinking and hopefully you'll sober up. lol The Pack doesn't need a 34 year old washed up bear. He's lost too many steps and is a old back up at best. He will probably resign with the bears at a lot less than originally seeking. Wait, aren't the Vikes in need ...
Mar 21, 2013 at 9:03 a.m.
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That was a bad move by the Bears. Urlacher was/is the definition of a great football player. Walk softly and carry a big stick....the guy let the plays he made on the field define him and not a loud mouth or an abrasive attitude, which is so prevalent with the athletes in many of the sports today......
Mar 20, 2013 at 9:59 p.m.
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Bring him to the Pack. Just like McMahon.
McMahon showed the Packers the definition of class the one year he was with them.
I think Urlacher would do the same.
Mar 20, 2013 at 9:52 p.m.
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Da Bears......still Hoover!
Mar 20, 2013 at 9:27 p.m.
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Bad move.......
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