Bears Fail to Sign Briggs

Not that it’s at all surprising, but ESPN.com has reported that the Chicago Bears have failed to sign franchise player Lance Briggs to a long term contract.  What this means in the long term is that you probably won’t be wearing that Lance Briggs jersey you bought to Bears games next year.  What it means in the short term is absolutely anyone’s guess.  Briggs has said he won’t show up to play until week 10 of the NFL season.  Whether or not he follows through on that threat remains to be seen.

It’s hard to see where the Bears are coming from here.  I’m all for not letting a player - or his agent - muscle you around.  And the Bears obviously believe that their young players can step up and fill Lance’s shoes.  The problems arise if they’ve bet wrong.  One Super Bowl run does not a dynasty guarantee.  Just ask the Oakland Raiders about that one.  The Bears made their run last year, and they’ve certainly sent a message to other players that lets them know they won’t be pushed around.  But at what cost?  Now that the deadline has passed for signing franchise players, both sides must now dig in their heels, with the Bears hoping they can win without Briggs, and Briggs stuck in the unenviable position of having to hope his teammates fall flat on their faces so he can come in and save the day.  And of course, all of this becomes a moot point if Briggs shows up, plays his butt off in a contract year, and then leaves.

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Permalink - Posted in General on July 17, 2007 - Post a comment