Report: Bears gave Brian Urlacher ‘take it or leave it’ $2-million offer
Before the Chicago Bears decided to part ways with longtime linebacker Brian Urlacher, they made him a meager one-year, $2-million offer and told him to take it or leave it, Urlacher told the Chicago Tribune‘s Vaughn McClure.
Urlacher said that while he wanted to remain in Chicago, where he has spent the last 13 seasons, the contract process with the Bears was “an ultimatum, not a negotiation.”
The $2 million Chicago offered was the max he could have made on the deal and was not guaranteed, McClure reports. The eight-time Pro Bowler made $7.5 million in base salary last season, posting 68 tackles and one interception.
Just got off the phone with Brian Urlacher.Said Bears gave him a take it or leave it offer of one-year, $2 million.—
vaughn mcclure (@vxmcclure23) March 20, 2013
“It was a ultimatum, not a negotiation,'' Urlacher said. “I wanted to be in Chicago. I wanted to finish here.''—
vaughn mcclure (@vxmcclure23) March 20, 2013
Urlacher, “I wanted to be here. I wanted to be in Chicago. … Now, that's not possible.''—
vaughn mcclure (@vxmcclure23) March 20, 2013
Urlacher, 34, added that he has no plans to retire and will consider signing with one of the teams he has spoken to. He struggled with knee and hamstring injuries last season, limiting him to 12 games.
Urlacher told me has has no immediately plans to retire and will explore the possibility of joining one of the teams he's spoken with.—
vaughn mcclure (@vxmcclure23) March 20, 2013
Despite a 7-1 start, the Bears missed the playoffs at 10-6 and fired coach Lovie Smith, hiring the more offensive-minded Marc Trestman. The team’s defense allowed just 17.5 points and 315.6 yards per game — third and fifth in the NFL, respectively.
I would love it if my job made me a meager one-year, $2-million offer.