Brian Urlacher has been a stalwart in the center of the Chicago Bears defense for his entire career, but after a new regime could not come to an agreement with the linebacker, he will now test free agency and move to another franchise.
According to ESPN.com, the Bears have decided to move on without Urlacher, as the two sides could not come to a contract agreement. The team announced the news on Wednesday and Urlacher later told the Chicago Tribune that he to sign a two-year deal worth $11.5 million that he hoped would start negotiations with the team.
The report says that soon after, the only offer from the Bears was for one year and $2 million and that it wasn't being negotiated, sources told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter. The linebacker then offered a one-year, $3.5 million offer with incentives, but the team balked at that as well.
"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."
Bears general manager Phil Emery has been active in free agency by signing Martellus Bennet and Jermon Bushrod, while also losing linebacker Nick Roach to the Raiders. Urlacher and Roach now will need to be replaced for next season, something the Bears may address in the NFL draft.
Urlacher was injured in the finale in 2011 and had surgery in the offseason and was ready for Week 1, but he later hurt himself again with his hamstring and missed the final four games of 2012. He made 68 tackles in 12 games and said he was preparing for next season and being fully healthy.
"I have no questions about (having more football left)," Urlacher told ESPN 1000's "Waddle & Silvy Show" in January. "At times (last season) I felt like I was playing pretty well. I was just so inconsistent. It was frustrating for me, too, as a player. ... I was never really in football shape. It was very frustrating for me to be out there and just not be able to do what I normally do."
Urlacher has been a consistent player for most of his career and he has had some injuries, including a wrist problem that cost him 15 games in 2009. He was the ninth pick in the draft in 2000 and was one of the most recognizable Bears of all time after coming out of New Mexico.
Some teams that could be interested include the Raiders, who signed Roach from the Bears, as well as the Dallas Cowboys and Buffalo Bills. The Cowboys have financial issues, but if Urlacher comes in at an affordable price, he could move to Dallas. The Packers could add another linebacker and the Bills need upgrades all over the defense.
Despite his age, Urlacher is a veteran player and an intelligent linebacker that could help improve any defense in the NFL.
