Brian Urlacher gives Bears a proposal for new contract
BY SEAN JENSEN sjensen@suntimes.com March 7, 2013 9:44PM
Brian Urlacher
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Updated: March 7, 2013 9:47PM
Linebacker Brian Urlacher’s agents provided the Bears with contract parameters for a new deal Thursday morning, according to a league source.
The key, of course, is how much the Bears are willing to pay Urlacher, an eight-time Pro Bowl selection who has played his entire career with the team.
Last season, Urlacher was paid $8 million. He’ll have to take a steep pay cut to continue with the Bears.
Urlacher has made it clear that he doesn’t want to play anywhere else.
A league executive said one option would be to pay Urlacher a base salary — perhaps $2.5 million — then allow him to earn more money based on how many games he plays.
It’s called a “contingency roster bonus,” which he can earn each week he makes the 46-man roster.
Urlacher, 34, was solid in 12 starts last season before a hamstring injury sidelined him the last four games.
