Bears coach Marc Trestman has spoken to linebacker Brian Urlacher on the phone since taking over as the team’s head coach, but he had no answer to questions about whether the team would look to bring Urlacher back for the 2013 season.
Sean Jensen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports that Trestman said it was “premature” to discuss Urlacher’s future, continuing a trend of being noncommittal about the team’s thoughts regarding their 2000 first-round pick. Trestman did come away from the conversation without any doubt about Urlacher’s feelings about returning to the Bears.
“There isn’t any question he loves Chicago and this is where he wants to be,” Trestman said.
If it comes down to a question of money, Urlacher’s already said he’s prepared to take a pay cut to stay in Chicago. That doesn’t mean they’d agree on a price, of course, but it does mean there’s a realistic starting ground for any discussions. Since new defensive coordinator Mel Tucker is running a 4-3 defense, Urlacher’s spot is there to be filled whenever the Bears feel Urlacher’s future is more ripe for discussion.