Trouble in paradi….I mean Chicago

It seems as if the drama in Chicago is only heating up. This week, it was announced then recanted that Pro Bowl defender Brian Urlacher and his long-term team the Chicago Bears couldn’t reach a contract negotiation. This would lead sports fans to believe that Urlacher would hit the market for free agency. While Urlacher is definitely past his prime, someone of his stature would seem to make a big splash on the market. Well, one day later, it is said that Chicago is still trying to work on a deal to let the big man finish his career in Chicago.

According to sources, the Chicago Bear’s front office announced yesterday they are trying to re-sign Brian Urlacher. While Urlacher’s camp was initially looking for a 2-year deal to the stroke of around $11 million, the bear’s were only willing to offer a deal for one-year and $2 million. With this being the cause of the schism, it seemed as if Urlacher was destined for a new team. While Chicago is now saying they’re willing to play ball in contract negotiations, Urlacher isn’t holding his breath. While speaking with Mike & Mike in the morning, Urlacher said the Bear’s execs stated, “ ‘We want to make Brian a bear, retire a bear. Blah, blah, blah,’” before stating, “It was all lip service in my mind. They said that, but never acted on it.”

While Urlacher has definitely made a lasting impression in the NFL, at the age 34, the question is how much does he have left in the tank. During the final game of the 2011 season, he tore the posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. This kept him out of offseason workouts and camp, but still allowed him to play in 2012. He participated in 12 games, forcing two fumbles, returned an interception for a touchdown, and made 68 tackles. His season ended in injury again though after suffering from a hamstring injury against the Seattle Seahawks. The fate of Brian Urlacher is another offseason question yet to be answered.

Photo courtesy of Suntimes