Thread: Forte is done...who is the the next to get extended?

Cutty will get his deal first. I think before the season starts just to show how good all is here at Halas hall. Urlacher won't get a deal before he proved his knee can still keep up with the speed of the game

Hopefully Melton, before he becomes expensive, then Cutty

With Urlacher in his last year... I see Emery & Co. signing up Urlacher first since he is the face of the franchise and we'll need him to groom our next MLB. I would love to see something like a 2 yr deal with an option for a third. This would have the tandem of Urlacher and Briggs together through the 2014 season.

I don't see Emery starting contract talks with Cutty until next off-season. Its pretty clear that Cutty is the best QB that has put on the Da Bears jersey in quite some time and I'm sure they don't want to loss their franchise QB when he's entering the prime of his career. Also with the way upper mgmt is doing everything to please him (i.e. bring in Marshall & Bates) its pretty clear they are committed to #6.

One thing for sure... Brees contract benefits ALL QBs that are about to have contract talks.

Obviously we need to sign both. I really don't think Urlacher's contract will be a problem. He's probably got a couple of years left in the tank at best. Cutler is our future. A true franchise QB is a pretty rare find, especially for the Bears who seem incapable of drafting franchise QB's. It would make financial sense to begin work on Cutler's contract sooner rather than later. The longer they wait, the more it's going to cost them. I don't see franchise QB's making less money, on the contrary, the contracts now seem epic.

Cutler will have a great season. Probably a Pro-Bowl year, now that he finally has decent WR's and is allowed to use TE's in our new scheme under Tice. The longer they wait to sign him to a long term contract - the more likely it is going to cost the Bears more money.

They still might sign Urlacher before Cutler though, due to the fact I believe this one will be quick and easy for Urlacher.

I can't see a forseeable problem with signing the big names. And with the genius of Stein I hope we can continue to stay ahead of the curve when we have emerging stars or guys worth their salt. If the staff and scouts believe Melton has really developed I could see getting a deal done before he puts up big numbers and gains great leverage. Same goes for any on the O line who could break out.