New Bears coach Marc Trestman has been repeatedly noncommittal on the future of linebacker Brian Urlacher in Chicago. Urlacher is eligible for free agency in March. He’s going on age 35, his performance is declining, and he hasn’t communicated with the Bears since the season ended a month ago.
“The Bears have been busy,” Urlacher told ESPN Chicago. “They have more important things to take care of right now. I’ll let that fall into place and see what happens.”
Urlacher has every intention of playing football in 2013, but it’s unclear whether he’ll get that opportunity with the Bears. He missed four games due to injury this past season and struggled mightily when “healthy,” clearly lacking the movement skills Urlacher once possessed.
If Urlacher and the Bears do ever get around to talking contract, Urlacher would be smart to offer to play for cheap, possibly minimum-salary cheap.
That’s probably what it’s going to take for him to finish his career in Chicago.