Training camp begins Wednesday for the Chicago Bears, but on Tuesday, middle linebacker Brian Urlacher will surpass Tommie Harris’ mark as the richest Chicago Bear, which was a mark Harris has held for less than a month.
The Chicago Tribune reported that Brian Urlacher will receive the extension that he has sought since the season came to a close. His old deal had four years with $25.5 million left on it. The new deal will give him $6 million signing bonus and give him a $1 million increase in the next four seasons. Urlacher will also receive an extra year added on his contract which will play him $7.5 million.
The six-time Pro Bowl middle linebacker is coming off a shaky season. However, for a player as good as Urlacher, a shaky season is still better than most of his peers. Urlacher managed to get 123 tackles, 5 sacks, and 5 interceptions, something no other player came close to.
Although Urlahcer showed his anger through the media by threatening a potential hold-out, he still showed up at mandatory camps earlier last month.
“When it says mandatory, you’re supposed to be at those things, so that’s why I’m here,” Urlacher said. “I’m supposed to be here. I’m not trying to send any message. It’s a mandatory team function and we’re supposed to be here…All that matters is I’m here with my teammates. That’s really the only thing that matters right now.”
This was a good move by the Bears. It not only keeps Urlacher happy, but it keeps the locker room happy, because if the icon is happy, everyone is happy.
