Urlacher wants to be traded?

[Fire Wade]

If even half the rumors swirling around the NFL about Brian Urlacher's negotiation tactics are true, then maybe the Bears ought to reconsider their offense-building pledge for the draft and take a hard look at the middle linebacker class.

One league source says Urlacher's agents have asked the team if they could explore a trade. Another says Urlacher is threatening to retire because of neck and back problems, a move in which he wouldn't have to repay any portion of the $13 million signing bonus he received in 2003, when he received a nine-year, $56.65 million deal.

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/mulli...bear18.article

[FSUViking]

URLACHER REFUTES REPORTS
Posted by Mike Florio on April 18, 2008, 12:00 p.m.

In response to a report of rumors that Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher has either requested a trade or threatened to take a medical retirement (or both), Urlacher says that the reports are wrong.

“I never said that I was going to quit,” Urlacher told the Chicago Tribune. “That’s just a gossip column. Reports like that is why I choose not to speak to the media.”

If taking a medical retirement was ever an option, it isn’t now, given Urlacher’s comments regarding his health: “[M]y neck is rehabbed and back to normal,” Urlacher said. “My back is better now than it was at any point last season.”

As to a trade, Urlacher said he’s happy where he is. “Everybody knows I want to be in Chicago,” he said. “I’ve said that from Day 1. I can’t imagine playing anywhere else. I want to be with my teammates.

“Could I see a scenario where I wouldn’t be here? It would be if they traded me. But we all know that’s not going to happen.”

As to his contract status, Urlacher provided the Tribune with a brief update. “They’ve offered me a one-year extension,” Urlacher said. “My agents are doing a great job for me. I try to stay out of it as much as I can.”

It remains to be seen whether the Chicago Sun-Times responds to Urlacher’s attempt to refute its report.



Newspaper wars!!!!!