Chicago Bears Rumors: Could Brian Urlacher Come Out of Retirement if Injury Occurred?


 

David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Bears are heading into training camp with a vastly different look at the linebacker position in comparison to the past few years. Without two of their starters from last year, the Bears went out and signed two free agent veteran linebackers as well as drafted a pair of linebackers this spring.

Chicago brought in former Carolina Panthers linebacker James Anderson and former Denver Broncos linebacker D.J. Williams while drafting Khaseem Greene out of Rutgers and Jon Bostic out of Florida.

While none of these candidates could compare to Brian Urlacher and what he has done for the team, what would happen if injury were to occur and again they are left with a void at the position?

General manager Phil Emery has said that the door would still be open for Urlacher to return at the right price. But, if they were in a position of desperation would they be willing to offer Urlacher something closer to what he originally requested?

Urlacher has emphatically shot down the notion of him ever returning to Chicago after how his exit unfolded, but one can’t help but wonder if his desire to win a championship will begin to eat at him as training camp begins and he is not on the field.

At this point in a veteran’s career, if a guy hasn’t won a championship and still felt like he could contribute at a high level, most of the time he can’t watch or discuss the game without getting the itch to come back. Just ask Brett Favre.

Urlacher is and always will be a competitor. I would have a hard time believing that if Emery decided to extend an offer to him that was higher than his original contract on the table that the future Hall of Fame linebacker wouldn’t accept it. If the need presented itself, you have to believe Urlacher would be his first phone call.

Would Urlacher be able to get past how things ended earlier this spring and suit up one more time for his beloved Bears? We’ll have to see. Injuries at the linebacker position would certainly justify this conversation and with training camp getting underway it will be something to watch closely.

Ryan Heckman is a Senior Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter  @ryanmheckman, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.



Sign Up
for the

We Recommend

Partner with USA TODAY Sports Digital Properties