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Bears sign Briggs to six-year deal

Sat 1st, March 2008

Lake Forest, IL (Sports Network) - The Chicago Bears and Pro Bowl linebacker Lance Briggs agreed to a six-year contract that runs through the 2013 season on Saturday.

The deal will pay Briggs $36 million over the next six years, according to the Chicago Tribune. The agreement ends a tumultuous year for Briggs, who reacted badly to being franchised by the Bears last season, going as far as saying he would never play for Chicago again.

Late in the 2007 season he expressed wishes to remain in Chicago, however.

"I can see myself [back with the Bears], yeah," Briggs said last December. "I can see myself in a lot of uniforms. Honestly, I can see myself in a Chicago uniform. If things work out that way, which I hope they will, then I'll be back."

The Washington Redskins and San Francisco 49ers were apparently also in the mix to sign Briggs. Chicago may have acted more urgently in re-signing the defensive stud after learning earlier Saturday that they were losing offensive threat Bernard Berrian to division-rival Minnesota. The former Bears wideout signed a six-year deal with the Vikings.

Last season, Briggs ranked second on the Bears with 140 tackles and led the team with 10 tackles for a loss. The 2003-third-round pick also had two sacks, one pass breakup, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

Briggs becomes the fifth veteran player to agree to a new contract with the Bears since February 18. Defensive end Alex Brown, quarterbacks Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton and tight end Desmond Clark all signed new deals.

Where the players come to play and STAY.