Bears Offer Urlacher An Extension?

by Adam T on Apr 22, 2008 12:45 PM CDT

This one is a little confusing. Reading this article it seems that the Bears have offered MLB Brian Urlacher a 1 year extension, but then does not really say it was offered that he did not accept it, but kind of does?!?

Urlacher is currently in his fifth year on his current 9 year deal that could pay him a max of $56.65 million.

His existing contract pays him $3.95 million in base salary this season and rises to $4.95 million in 2009, $6.15 million in 2010 and $7.35 million in 2011, totaling $22.4 million. The Bears tied another $4 million in escalators to playing time in their offer and tacked on a year in 2012 with a $9 million base salary.

If he can stay healthy, Urlacher would collect on a $1 million escalator added to each year of the existing deal. He would trigger the extra pay by being on the field for 85 percent of the defensive snaps, which means he could miss roughly two games and a quarter of a third and still be paid.

The new one year extension could pay Urlacher upwards of $18 million. Five million of that in up front money. Sources say Urlacher is not against the total amount he just wants more up front.

I'm a little mixed up on this one. For one, Urlacher is the face of the franchise and we all like him. He has carried on a tradition of great middle linebackers. He has done so with class and has rarely been a thorn in the side of the franchise, minus a few off the field instances. On the other, he is going into his 9th season. His current deal carries him until his 12th season. Plus he is now having issues with his back and neck. Could this be a case of him not thinking he is going to be around for the remaining 4 years of his deal and is trying to cash in one more time?

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I like it.

Seems like a great move. Don’t bonuses go across years as far as the cap is concerned? If so, it gives Urlacher money to buy his yacht (or whatever he needs it for), but only adds a million or two per year to the cap.

Let us prepare for glory! --Michael Redd

by tyger1147 on Apr 22, 2008 1:55 PM CDT reply actions

Not bad but

I wonder what effect this has in the locker room? Read: http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/47451

by Sam Householder on Apr 23, 2008 12:26 AM CDT reply actions

Probably not a good one

A team leader does not take his “me-first” attitude to the media.

by garsky on Apr 23, 2008 9:28 AM CDT up reply actions

ehhh

i love lach, but the guy is falling apart. i’m sure the neck is fine, that was fixable with surgery…but arthritis in the back is not fixable. that is something you are just forced to live with. sure; there are shots he can get that will make it easier to live with, but there will come a point (and it probably isn’t far down the road) when he realizes it isn’t worth it to keep putting himself through this.

hope i’m wrong and he is 100% come opening day, but i just don’t see the back issues going away.

by lopey986 on Apr 23, 2008 12:34 AM CDT reply actions

If this is a reality

than mabye a trade could be warrented while his stock is skyrocket. Im sure ill get cussed for this one. lmao.

by SuperBowlXX on Apr 23, 2008 8:29 AM CDT reply actions

Not cussed . . .

. . . but Urlacher has almost no trade value, with an arthritic back and having just had neck surgery. This is a pure power play; he wants to get his while he can

by garsky on Apr 23, 2008 9:30 AM CDT up reply actions

Urlacher

Was 10 in tackles and interceptions last year. There’s no value in that?

by SuperBowlXX on Apr 23, 2008 10:51 AM CDT up reply actions

Everybody has trade value!

It just comes down to what other teams see him worth versus what we’d want in return, but I’m not ready to part with the guy yet.

Being Who You Thought We Were Since 2005!

by Adam T on Apr 24, 2008 8:59 AM CDT up reply actions

Me either

but to do this when other players deserve to get a big payday ( ie. harris, hester) is unprofessional. im not 100% sure but i think i read somewhere that he declined a 5 mill bonus and 1 mil bonus for each year he plays a certain amount of games.

by SuperBowlXX on Apr 24, 2008 9:29 AM CDT reply actions