Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher and his agent have submitted a contract proposal and are waiting for Chicago to give a counteroffer, according to a report from WFLD-Fox 32 in Chicago. While both sides are talking, there is no imminent deal to keep the former all-pro linebacker with the franchise that drafted him in 2000, a league source told ESPN's Ed Werder on Friday.
The exact amount Urlacher's camp is seeking is unkown, although it is likely to be less than the $7,500,000 base salary (plus $500,000 workout bonus) Urlacher earned last season, which resulted as $9,700,000 against the Bear's salary cap.
Knee and hamstring problems limited the former pro bowler's performance in 2012 and Urlacher only played a total of 12 regular-season games. However, Urlacher seems to be in relatively good health heading into the free-agency period.
League sources at the NFL combine said that the Bears, in particular the new coaching staff, are hoping for Urlacher to return, but that compensation will be the biggest hurdle to overcome when negotiating with the 34-year-old linebacker. The Bears also plan to attempt to re-sign strongside linebacker Nick Roach.
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