Bears Offseason Thread (Trestman new HC, pg 37)

[Guest]

Reports that the Bears offered Urlacher a 1-year $2MM deal. That is an insult, if true. They obviously didn't want him back which is fine, but they should have just been up front with him about it.

Is it really that big of an insult? That's probably his fair/open market value, especially with quite a few decent LB still available in FA.

 

And we don't know what type of performance bonuses were also offered.

[davell]

I would have liked to have him back, but I think 2 mill was a fair offer honestly. Hopefully we find a starting LB via FA somehow, so we're not looking for 2 of them during the draft. At this point, I really hope we find a way to trade down into the 30's. It'd help us fill holes easier.

[SpongeWorthy]

so long #54 :[

[Mark Priors Calves]

I'm curious to see if he latches on anywhere else. Either way, he had a great career here, but I'm glad to the Bears didn't re-sign him.

[Guest]

Bears offered 1 year deal to Captain Munnerlyn from Carolina. Panthers just signed DJ Moore so apparently the Bears are going after their version of DJ Moore.

 

Wouldn't be the first time we signed a nickelback from Carolina.

[WrigleyField 22]

I guess I'm not entirely suprised Urlacher won't be back, but a little suprised it was resolved this soon. I wonder if he will sign elsewhere soon.

 

 

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[SpongeWorthy]

Reports that the Bears offered Urlacher a 1-year $2MM deal. That is an insult, if true. They obviously didn't want him back which is fine, but they should have just been up front with him about it.

Is it really that big of an insult? That's probably his fair/open market value, especially with quite a few decent LB still available in FA.

 

And we don't know what type of performance bonuses were also offered.

 

vaughn mcclure

@vxmcclure23

The deal the Bears offered Brian Urlacher maxed out at $ 2 million for one year. Meaning he wasn't guaranteed that $ 2 million.

[Banedon]

Right move but still sucks a lot. Rev up the "Shea to LB" train.

[Tracer Bullet]

Booo

[Banedon]

Urlacher says the offer was a slap in the face. Love you Brian, but grow up. Its a business.

[rawaction]

The way I see it:

 

It's very sad to see Urlacher go, especially when it wasn't on his own terms. I think he had a lot to prove and he would have been as healthy as he has been in 2 years had he suited up for the Bears this year. Ray Lewis had a very similar situation with the Ravens and it looked like he had lost a step and was headed out of the league. He came back and gave the Ravens 3-4 more seasons. Not at the same level as before, but still above average on the field and played a huge leadership/inspirational role. I feel bad for guys like Briggs and Tillman who have never played on an NFL team without Urlacher. But they'll get over it. Just like they got over Alex Brown. Just like they'll get over Lovie.

 

That being said, this move probably won't sit well with most of the fanbase. It won't sit well with most of the defensive players. But it's 100% the right football move. The Bears need to change their identity as a franchise. The Monsters of the Midway stuff is over. The Bears need to change the culture from a defense first team to a team with an offense that needs to be feared. As long as Urlacher was here, it was going to be hard to change the team's identity. Losing Urlacher allows the Bears to take a big step in putting a younger defense on the field. The Bears started last season with 5 starters over 30. 2 of them will now be gone if Idonije doesn't come back. Even if he does, he won't start. And potentially 2 more will be gone next season with Peppers' contract and Tillman being a FA.

 

This also puts extra pressure on Emery to not miss early in the draft for a while. The offense is pretty young. And if you can build a solid young defense around guys like Melton, McClellin and whoever you draft at LB this year, the team won't have to sign big contract FAs to put themselves in this type of salary cap bind.

[Banedon]

And now Breer says the Urlacher hasn't shut the door on coming back to Chicago.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Captain Munnerlyn ‏@captain_41 1m

 

It's officially I'm staying a Carolina Panthers !!!!!!! Lets get it

[jersey cubs fan]

If I wasn't convinced the emery/trestman era will end in disaster sooner rather than later I'd be completely on board with letting urlacher go. $2m was the price to hold steady at.

[Wilson A2000]

The Bear didn't want Urlacher at all this year. Emery wanted to move on. They felt like they had to offer him something. If they wanted him and Urlacher would have played for $3 million, just $1 million more, they would have a deal. Urlacher didn't want to lower himself to playing for exactly what the Bears demanded, so his career is over with the Bears. Stinks that it had to come to this, but expected due to Urlacher's injuries and decline in production.

[Wilson A2000]

And now Breer says the Urlacher hasn't shut the door on coming back to Chicago.

 

Is the $2 million dollar offer still on the table? Did the Bears pull it off the table or did Urlacher officially say no?

[Wilson A2000]

Emery said McClellin is going to play MLB. At least I wouldn't be surprised.

[davell]

Captain Munnerlyn ‏@captain_41 1m

 

It's officially I'm staying a Carolina Panthers !!!!!!! Lets get it

And I'm disappointmentness he's not a Bears.

[Guest]

Emery said McClellin is going to play MLB. At least I wouldn't be surprised.

 

What??

[Guest]

Captain Munnerlyn ‏@captain_41 1m

 

It's officially I'm staying a Carolina Panthers !!!!!!! Lets get it

And I'm disappointmentness he's not a Bears.

 

Yeah, damn.

[Wilson A2000]

Emery said McClellin is going to play MLB. At least I wouldn't be surprised.

 

What??

 

Since he's not very good at being a defensive end, might as well get something out of this draft pick.

[cbbryan]

I'm disappointed Urlacher won't be back with the Bears, but I can't say I disagree with the decision. I always like to see great players go out on their own terms, not forced out.

 

And to think, he'd probably be back if it weren't for him being in a meaningless game vs the Vikings at the end of the season. That knee has never been right since.

[jersey cubs fan]

Emery said McClellin is going to play MLB. At least I wouldn't be surprised.

 

What??

 

Since he's not very good at being a defensive end, might as well get something out of this draft pick.

Did you forget the word "if"?

[Guest]

@BUrlacher54 It was not a negotiation it was an ultimatum. Gonna miss my teammates

[Guest]

Emery said McClellin is going to play MLB. At least I wouldn't be surprised.

 

What??

 

Since he's not very good at being a defensive end, might as well get something out of this draft pick.

 

Why not move him to corner?