Brian Urlacher (neck, back) has reportedly suggested that he may consider retirement if the Bears don't follow through on upgrading his contract. If he proves injury, Urlacher could keep the $13 million in bonuses he got upon signing his six-year extension in 2003. He's skipping all the Bears' voluntary workouts, which already cost him $50,000, and threatening to sit out mandatory work as well. To make matters worse, Lance Briggs is sitting out voluntaries, possibly because he's unhappy with his brand new deal. Source: Chicago Sun Times http://www.rotoworld.com/content/home_NFL.aspx
Brian Urlacher called a report in the Chicago Sun Times that he may be threatening to retire a "gossip column." "I never said that I was going to quit," Urlacher claims. "Reports like that is why I choose not to speak to the media." Urlacher says the Bears are offering a one-year extension. They're right to hesitate considering his uneven play in 2007, offseason neck surgery, arthritic back, and age (30 in May). Source: Chicago Tribune http://www.rotoworld.com/content/home_NFL.aspx