The Chicago Bears and linebacker Brian Urlacher could not come to an agreement on a contract a couple weeks ago, leaving the longtime veteran to seek a new team, but after a rough go of it on the market, there may be a possibility of a reunion for the two sides.
According to ESPN.com, Urlacher and chairman George McCaskey spoke for the first time since contract negotiations ended and the conversation gave the impression that the door still could be open for the linebacker and the Bears. The report said that McCaskey has not ruled out bringing him back and that personnel decisions are up to general manager Phil Emery.
McCaskey said that Urlacher was "gracious" over the phone and that there were no hard feelings between the two sides after the linebacker was hurt he did not hear from the team. Urlacher was expecting to re-sign with the Bears, but after a rough contract negotiation, the two sides could not come to an agreement.
On March 20 the two sides finished contract talks after being unable to come to an agreement and Urlacher later said that the team didn't give him a fair shake in negotiations and that it was a take it or leave it situation. He later said on the radio that he was disappointed that he did not receive a call from the organization after everything ended.
The two spoke for some time together and McCaskey said that he felt Urlacher was not bitter and that the foundation of the relationship would remain. McCaskey said earlier in the year that he hoped Urlacher would return for another season and after speaking to the linebacker the door may still be open if the price works out on both sides.
The original contract negotiations started with Urlacher asking for an $11 million contract over two seasons, which was countered by the Bears with a one-year, $2 million offer after the linebacker lowered his number to $3.5 million. Urlacher later expressed disappointment and said that the Bears would not negotiate from that number.
"I talked to him," McCaskey said Tuesday. "He was very gracious. I wanted to wait a little bit because I figured there would be a little emotion. But Brian knows how we feel about him. He's one of the all-time great Bears. (He) continued the outstanding linebacker legacy at the Bears. He's going to be in the Hall of Fame, and when he is, everyone is going to think of him as a Chicago Bear."
The team lost linebacker Nick Roach to the Oakland Raiders and responded by signing free agents D.J. Williams and James Anderson while allowing Urlacher to look for work elsewhere. Although the two sides could not come to an agreement, if Urlacher can;t find another suitor, there is a chance he could come back to Chicago for one more year. Some other options for Urlacher include the Dallas Cowboys, Pittsburgh Steelers as well as the Minnesota Vikings, who had some initial conversations with Urlacher.
"That's up to the market, and to Phil and [Bears coach] Marc [Trestman]," McCaskey said. "Phil said it's a process, and we go through it and see what happens. That's not up to me. Bears fans should be assured I don't involve myself in personnel decisions."
