Every source of news in local Chicago sports media is reporting that the Chicago Bears were unable to reach an agreement with star middle linebacker Brian Urlacher. #54 has been a fixture on the Bears D since 2000. Urlacher was offered 1 year, $2 million- a joke of an offer. It was an ultimatum so now Urlacher is done as a Bear.
The leader of the defense for well more than a decade, Urlacher propelled the Bears to four NFC North/Central division titles, two NFC title game appearances, and one Super Bowl. He has many Bears records on the field and was linked to exceedingly trashy starlets Jenny McCarthy and Paris Hilton off the field. In short, women wanted Urlacher and men wanted to be Urlacher.
However, it appears his NFL career might be over. His time with the Bears certainly is. The Bears offer to Urlacher seems insulting, but only the NFL open market will redeem Urlacher/prove the offer inaccurate.
There was prior interest from the Vikings and the Cowboys for the services of Urlacher. Now it doesn’t appear so. Urlacher was great once, but the game has now passed him by. Likewise with Devin Hester, maybe he’s next on the Bears chopping block? He is officially no longer a wide receiver, solely a return specialist. Maybe it’s best the Bears makes a clean break with him too.
Urlacher leaving is reminiscent of Frank Thomas leaving the White Sox; ’twas quite a bitter divorce. However, the Sox and Thomas eventually came back to one another. Maybe the Bears and Urlacher will as well.
Paul M. Banks is CEO of The Sports Bank.net, a Google News site generating millions of visitors. He’s an author who also contributes regularly to MSN, Fox Sports , Chicago Now, Walter Football.com and Yardbarker
Banks has appeared on Comcast SportsNet and the History Channel, as well as Clear Channel, ESPN and CBS radio all over the world. President Barack Obama follows him on Twitter (@PaulMBanks)