The Oakland Raiders have been one of the least successful franchises in football based on wins in recent years, but the team is taking a measured and calculated approach to free agency under general manager Reggie McKenzie and now they could make a splash by signing linebacker Brian Urlacher.
According to ESPN.com, Urlacher and the Bears could not reach an agreement on a new contract, leaving the potential Hall of Fame linebacker to find a new home. The Bears offered him a one-year, $2 million offer and after he countered it, the team remained hard on its position and the two sides decided to part ways. The Bears' loss could be Oakland's gain.
The Raiders have lost Phillip Wheeler and signed both Nick Roach and Kevin Burnett, but Urlacher could help solidify the group into one of the best in football. Despite his age, Urlacher can still play and he likely will be fully healthy when next season starts after missing the final four games of the year in 2012.
The 34-year-old made 68 tackles last season and the Raiders will need depth, as they ranked 20th in passing yards and 18th in rushing yards allowed per game last year. The team went just 4-12 and without some more key additions they will not be able to compete with the Broncos and Chiefs, who improved with trading for Alex Smith and signing Dwayne Bowe.
"The Bears kept saying, 'We want to make Brian a Bear, retire a Bear. Blah, blah, blah.' It was all lip service in my mind. They said that, but they never acted on it. It was like they all had a handbook on how to handle the situation they passed out around there," Urlacher told "Mike & Mike in the Morning"
Urlacher has dealt with injuries in the past, including a wrist one that knocked him out 15 games in 2009, but he is planning on being fully healthy for the 2013 season wherever he ends up. The linebacker said he would like to play for a contender, but that doesn't mean the Raiders couldn't get him in on an offer.
From one longtime player to another, as the Raiders are also dealing with the possibility of losing one of the greatest punters in the history of football in Shane Lechler. According to ESPN.com, the all-pro punter is visiting with the Houston Texans and like Ed Reed, he could leave the team that drafted him.
Lechler is from Texas and played at Texas A&M and according to the report, he wants to head to his home state. Lechler has been prolific in his time with the Raiders, but since the team has some financial strain, they may not be up to par with what he feels he should be paid. The Raiders have Marquette King as an option and could draft a player late, as they are not opposed to using picks on special teams stars, as they once did with Lechler and Sebastian Janikowski.
The Raiders have lost a number of players this offseason, including Desmond Bryant, Phillip Wheeler and now Mike Mitchell, who signed with the Panthers. The team also lost Michael Huff and Darrius Heyward-Bey, but the Raiders cut them on their own to help free up cap space.
The other teams in demand for Urlacher includes the Patriots, Chargers and Eagles.
