Thread: Lance Briggs extended through 2014

Originally Posted by XaosGorilla

Briggs agrees to a one-year extension

no contract info, but should qualify as "conformation".

Don't know if this detail was posted yet so excuse me if this duplicates it. Just posting without checking.

> Sports > Chicago Bears Dollars and sense: Briggs' contract extension

Lance Briggs (left) got a new deal from the Bears, and fellow linebacker Brian Urlacher (right) could be next. (Brian Cassella/Tribune Photo / April 11, 2012)

By Brad Biggs, Tribune reporter 3:36 p.m. CDT, April 11, 2012



Although the one-year contract extension the Chicago Bears gave Lance Briggs includes only $7 million in new money, it’s worth recognizing that the market for linebackers is as flat as the one for running backs.

While Matt Forte has yet to reach a deal yet with the Bears, Briggs was able to get more security and the team secured his services for an additional season through 2014. Briggs has been selected to seven consecutive Pro Bowls and led the team in tackles last season.

Briggs, who signed a $36 million, six-year contract as an unrestricted free agent in 2008, has $10.5 million and two years remaining on that deal. The new structure, for practical purposes, guarantees him as much as $8.25 million. While only $1.5 million in new money comes to Briggs in the first two years of the contract he has more guarantees now in the event the durable performer would become injured. The deal is structured such that he doesn’t have a big number in 2014 that might lead the team to release an aging player. If Briggs remains productive, he should earn most or all of the money in this new pact. (This is a smart way to go about it. He wanted his 2012 money bumped up from $3.75 mil and they did that by increasing it by $2.25 mil. But by putting $3 mil into a SB they temper the cap hit a little then extended him through 2014 at which time he'll be 33-34 years old. If his productivity slips we can cut him before 2014 and save $4.5 mil with only a $1 mil cap hit for dead money. Great cap management again by Cliff Stein)

Linebackers have had a tough time on the open market this offseason. Teams have been unwilling to pay top money to defenders who do not rush the quarterback. As Forte has discovered, it’s a tough market for running backs too in a passing league. (Well at least Briggs got realistic and realized that around $6 mil per year was the top of the market for an OLB who is not a sack machine. Once the season began he shut his mouth, played for his pay and got it. Seeing this is there anyone who now doubts that the Bears haven't made Forte and equally fair offer to push his deal to the top of the market for his level of play?)

Here is how Briggs’ new contract breaks down, according to an NFL source:

2012

$3 million signing bonus
$250,000 workout bonus
$3 million base salary
Total $6.25 million

2013

$1 million roster bonus
$250,000 workout bonus
$4.5 million base salary ($2 million fully guaranteed) Total $5.75 million

2014

$500,000 roster bonus
$250,000 workout bonus
$4.75 million base salary
Total $5.5 million

Here is how Briggs’ old deal was structured the next two seasons:

2012

$250,000 workout bonus
$3.75 million base salary
Total $4 million

2013

$250,000 workout bonus
$6.25 million base salary
Total $6.5 million

bmbiggs@tribune.com

Twitter @BradBiggs


Copyright © 2012, Chicago Tribune

Originally Posted by BigBadPapaBear

This is a great move taking care of one of your best performing veterans. Briggs is still playing at an incredibly high level and this is a good PR move for the organization as well.

Agreed. I like what Emery is doing. Can't wait for the draft. I'm sure #54 will be getting something similar before too long.

Originally Posted by BearJim

Agreed. I like what Emery is doing. Can't wait for the draft. I'm sure #54 will be getting something similar before too long.

I agree Jim. This only helps to bring Lacher back next year with a faily reasonable extension so he can finish in Chicago. Everyone knows he and Lance are very close and with millions already made, it would be difficult for Brian to leave for an extra million or two. Same scenario for Cutler bringing in one of his favorite pros (Marshall), it helps the team by keeping the talent comfortable with the guys the are closest to. I know it's a business and these guys want to make all they can, while they can, but when you have already madde more money than you ever imagined, other things start mattering as well.

Originally Posted by 4DaBERS

I agree Jim. This only helps to bring Lacher back next year with a faily reasonable extension so he can finish in Chicago. Everyone knows he and Lance are very close and with millions already made, it would be difficult for Brian to leave for an extra million or two. Same scenario for Cutler bringing in one of his favorite pros (Marshall), it helps the team by keeping the talent comfortable with the guys the are closest to. I know it's a business and these guys want to make all they can, while they can, but when you have already madde more money than you ever imagined, other things start mattering as well.

For all we know 4Da, Briggs & Urlacher talked about this, finishing their careers as Bears, quite a bit lately as Urlacher said the other day he can't see himself playing anywhere else. Man, I sure would like to see these guys get a ring before their playing days are over.

You guys are right and Urlacher has already said he's not going anywhere and expects the Bears will give him fair deal to extend. I don't think he's gonna be a problem either. For him money is probably less the issue than to finish in Chicago and secure his place in the HOF.

This defense is the perfect vehicle for him to do that in. It does and always has allowed him to showcase his strong points and minimize his weak ones. I can see at least another 3 years from him as well. The trouble is we may have both him and Briggs retiring about the same time so we may as well start planning ahead for life without them. With any luck we'll get them a ring before that happens.

I keep saying the same thing about this over and over. For years and years the Bears have routinely taken care of their own stars and we've lost very few if any key players in FA because we wouldn't offer them market value deals. Even as much of a money hound as Briggs has been we still manged to satisfy even him.

So if that's the case and all evidence points to the Bears continually trying to do their level best for their own why is it that only Matt Forte has an issue with our offer to him? If we go on the basis of both past history and present dealings even with the lack of disclosure about what offer is actually on the table the evidence for the Bears still lowballing him doesn't appear to be that strong. At least not to me.

Originally Posted by soulman

You guys are right and Urlacher has already said he's not going anywhere and expects the Bears will give him fair deal to extend. I don't think he's gonna be a problem either. For him money is probably less the issue than to finish in Chicago and secure his place in the HOF.

This defense is the perfect vehicle for him to do that in. It does and always has allowed him to showcase his strong points and minimize his weak ones. I can see at least another 3 years from him as well. The trouble is we may have both him and Briggs retiring about the same time so we may as well start planning ahead for life without them. With any luck we'll get them a ring before that happens.

I keep saying the same thing about this over and over. For years and years the Bears have routinely taken care of their own stars and we've lost very few if any key players in FA because we wouldn't offer them market value deals. Even as much of a money hound as Briggs has been we still manged to satisfy even him.

So if that's the case and all evidence points to the Bears continually trying to do their level best for their own why is it that only Matt Forte has an issue with our offer to him? If we go on the basis of both past history and present dealings even with the lack of disclosure about what offer is actually on the table the evidence for the Bears still lowballing him doesn't appear to be that strong. At least not to me.

I sure would like to know what the Bears have offered. I've got to believe it is 17-18M guaranteed but who knows. If it is I think that's a fair guaranteed amount. If it's more than that & Forte won't sign it then he is getting bad advise IMHO. As Blue Horse-shoe & I posted on the Forte thread no way he leaves 7+ million on the table. He will be a Bear this coming season or we will get at least a 1st rd pick for him. If we take less we are foolish. Like you said once Bell signs his tender we will have 2 quality backs & probably pick one up late in the draft or UDFA if Forte doesn't come to terms by then.

But back to the OP I like that Briggs & hopefully Urlacher will finish their careers as Bears!