There was talk that the Chicago Bears would re-sign veteran linebacker Brian Urlacher this offseason. However,
Urlacher says the Bears made him a one-year, $2 million ultimatum which he
rejected, bringing an end to a 13-year partnership, according to Vaughn McClure
of The Chicago Tribune.
Chicago sent out a press release
yesterday to indicate that the team was parting ways with Urlacher. This caught
the former All-Pro linebacker by surprise, but he could see the writing on the
wall considering the Bears’ recent contract offer.
Urlacher extended Chicago a two-year, $11.5 million
proposal, but the Bears held firm on a measly one-year, $2 million offer.
Urlacher wouldn’t even call the deal an offer but more an ultimatum.
"It wasn't even an offer, it was an ultimatum," Urlacher told the Tribune. "I feel like I'm a decent football player still. It was insulting, somewhat of a slap in the face. They came back with the offer and said, 'This is what it is, take it or leave it.' It was, 'If you want to play for the Bears, you'll play for this. If not, then you're not playing for the Bears.'"
While he won’t return with the Bears, Urlacher told
reporters that he’s worked too hard to consider retirement at this point. It
will be interesting to see what kind of offers he’ll get outside of Chicago.
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