The Chicago Bears have remained relatively quiet during the start of free agency. They have a few pressing matters this offseason and one of those is linebacker Brian Urlacher. Urlacher became a free agent Tuesday and his future with the Bears remains uncertain. If Chicago is interested in bringing back the veteran they have yet to show it. According to sources, the Bears have yet to contact Urlacher about returning for a 14th season with the team.
Urlacher has received interest from other teams, but it is reported that he would prefer to stay with Chicago. The team drafted him No. 9 overall back in 2000. He has played his entire career there. Urlacher made $8 million last season, but would likely have to take a pay cut in order to remain with the Bears. Urlacher's agents have submitted a contract offer to the Bear's but that has been the only negotiations reported between the two sides.
Injuries have prevented Urlacher from being the standout back he was in previous years. Last season he played 12 games, recording 53 total tackles and zero sacks. This is his second-consecutive year not recording a single sack. Despite the decline in performance, there are still teams interested in the eight-time Pro Bowler.
The Dallas Cowboys are one of the team's in the lead to get Urlacher if he does not re-sign with the Bears. With the hiring of Monte Kiffin as defensive coordinator, Urlacher could remain in the same defensive scheme he has played throughout his career. The Cowboys are cash strapped, mostly due to the $10 million salary-cap penalty they received for overloading contracts during the uncapped 2010 season. They do have a talented young middle linebacker in Sean Lee, but Urlacher could be the big presence the team has been looking for.
The Bears limited cap space could lead them to make a decision between Urlacher and another free agent, Nick Roach. Roach is a younger linebacker who started 29 games over the past two seasons with Chicago. He replaced Urlacher after the veteran went down with a hamstring injury in December. Chicago could decide to sign him over the aging Urlacher.