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The good news is Charles Tillman has guaranteed that he will retire a Chicago Bear. The bad news, there's no guarantee that he'll return to Chicago in 2014.
While on 670 The Score's Laurence Holmes show last night, Charles Tillman expressed his desire to stay with the Chicago Bears. The Bears drafted Tillman in the 2nd round of the 2003 NFL Draft, and he's played 154 games in 11 years. He's three interceptions away from the Bears' all time record, he leads the Bears in all-time interception return yards, his eight interception return touchdowns is most in franchise history, as are his nine defensive TDs. Tillman has become legendary for his "Peanut Punch" and his 40 forced fumbles also leads the Bears' all-time list.
Here's Tillman's quote about his eventual retirement,
"In perfect world, I will finish as a Bear," Tillman told Laurence Holmes on 670 The Score Wednesday night. "I guarantee I will retire a Chicago Bear. I guarantee that."
It's already been reported that Tillman will test free agency; however it's not known what type of market the 33 year old cornerback will receive. His old coach Lovie Smith could provide an option for him in Tampa Bay, and I wouldn't be surprised to see a veteran team that's ready to win now take a flier on Tillman.
A team like New England or Denver could offer him a legit shot at a ring for accepting a lower base salary.
But there's always Chicago.
"I'll put it to you like this," Tillman said. "The Bears and I are in good spirits. There's no bad blood. There's nothing. We're in good spirits. There's no bad blood with myself or coach (Marc) Trestman. Like everything is good. We're all on good terms."
Maybe he'll feel his best shot at winning would be with the Bears.
Either way, if Tillman has any thing to say about it, he will return at some point to sign one last contract and retire a member of the Chicago Bears.
