Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL

Just in time for the start of training camp (funny how it works out that way), Chicago Bears linebacker and team captain Brian Urlacher signed a one-year contract extension today that will give him a $6 million right now and a $1 million bump in salary each of the next four years. The final season on his contract is now 2012 where his base salary will be $7.5 million.

I knew some kind of deal would get done before camp to keep Brian happy after he skipped voluntary OTAs this past offseason. He’s the heart and soul of the Bears defense and while the team has been very busy keeping their own players happy this offseason (Tommie Harris, Robbie Gould, Alex Brown, Lance Briggs, Desmond Clark, Rashied Davis), locking up Brian (a six-time Pro Bowler and one of the best at his position) was perhaps the biggest no-brainer.

Source: ESPN.com, Photo: Newscom

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Brian Urlacher Signs Contract Extension

Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL

Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher is expected to skip OTAs beginning Monday and might even sit-out a mandatory minicamp later this month if his contract is not renegotiated to his liking. He’s also considering boycotting training camp. In an interview with the Chicago Tribune yesterday, Brian said:

“Training camp is a long way away (July 23), and I expect there will be some dialogue between my agents and the Bears before then. I would hope it is resolved by then, but the [Bears] haven’t responded in a couple of months.”

Brian wants more than the one-year extension the Bears have offered him through 2012. The team has rewarded Alex Brown, Desmond Clark and Robbie Gould with extensions this off-season. But not, arguably, their best player and franchise face. I guess they feel their current offer ($5 million up-front and up to $1 million added to his contract per year if he participates in 85% of the team’s defensive snaps) is good enough. I don’t even know what “good enough” is anymore in the NFL, but I don’t think the Bears will budge. So, when the fines start piling up, Brian probably will.

Source: Chicago Tribune, Caricature: Newscom

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Brian Urlacher Won’t Attend Minicamp, Chicago Bears LB Unhappy With Contract