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I wonder if he will end up retiring? It is amazing how fast he fell out of favor.

Then there's this from KARE11

GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. - Former Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher is leaning toward signing with the Minnesota Vikings, according to a Chicago Sun-Times report.

ProFootballTalk.com quoted gossip columnist Michael Sneed for the report. They indicated that they had also heard that there was some contact between Urlacher and the Vikings. ProFootballTalk.com's report said "seeing Urlacher in purple wouldn't be a huge surprise."

The Chicago Sun-Times report said that Urlacher also had interest from the Denver Broncos.

Urlacher is 34-years-old. He's expected to sign somewhere before the start of training camp.

The Vikings did not attempt to resign Jasper Brinkley this offseason. Brinkley signed with the Cardinals.

The Vikings have indicated that there will be a competition at middle linebacker between Erin Henderson, Audie Cole and rookie Michael Mauti.

Never been a fan of Urlacher, probably because he's a bad mo fo and our enemy..... That being said, I'd have no problem seeing him in purple for a year or two.

The Vikings have a fragile situation at middle linebacker with former special teamer/weak side 'backer Erin Henderson currently penciled in, but Urlacher would only be an upgrade in terms of intangibles. What Urlacher put on tape last season is overriding his Hall-of-Fame résumé.

The guy was hurt. And "only" intangibles? First of all it'd be a HUGE upgrade in terms of intangibles. Leadership? Compared to the 3 guys competing for the job? baaahahaha.

Make it happen Spielman.

Cole, Erin, or Mauti. wow what a competition.

dead_poet wrote:The Vikings have a fragile situation at middle linebacker with former special teamer/weak side 'backer Erin Henderson currently penciled in...
Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter May 14 - 8:26 PM

I know where he's coming from because Erin has little experience at MLB but referring to him as "former special teamer" seems a little misleading and maybe even a bit snarky or insulting. I think he's quietly turned into a good LB and could continue to improve. He's not flashy but he gets the job done (kinda like another of our LBs, Greenway). ProFootballFocus has even called him underrated and "extremely talented", for what it's worth.

I'd still like for them to bring Urlacher in. Clearly he's a leader and would add a strong locker room presence, but if he also likes to teach and coach other players then his addition could be very beneficial.

RT @NFL_ATL: Leslie Frazier: Vikings not chasing Urlacher 'at this point' http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap100000 ... witter_atl …

"Brian has been a great player in our league for a long, long time," Frazier said. "He was a thorn in our side for many years. At this point we want to look at the guys on our roster, give them a chance to compete for the middle linebacker position then we'll see where it takes us."

Speaking specifically about his first-round rookies -- Sharrif Floyd, Xavier Rhodes and Cordarrelle Patterson -- Frazier said they all will have a chance to start in their first year.

"There is enough competition on our team that they don't have to come in a start right away," Frazier said. "But if that were to happen it would be a good thing for our team. I think each one of them will have a chance to compete to start."

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap100000 ... witter_atl

If the Vikings really want to be a Super Bowl contender, they would sign Urlacher.

Brian Urlacher - LB - Free Agent

Free agent MLB Brian Urlacher has retired from the NFL after 13 seasons.

Urlacher, 35 in three days, spent his entire career with the Bears. "Although I could continue playing, I'm not sure I would bring a level of performance or passion that's up to my standards," Urlacher wrote in a statement. "When considering this, along with the fact that I could retire after a 13-year career wearing only one jersey for such a storied franchise, my decision became pretty clear." It's hard to see Urlacher forced out of the game like this, but no team was willing to sign him after his skills declined sharply last season. An injury to a middle linebacker around the league could give Urlacher an opportunity, and he could change his mind. But at this moment, he finishes his career with 1,229 tackles, 41.5 sacks, 22 interceptions, and 12 forced fumbles. He's a shoo-in for the Hall of Fame.
Source: Brian Urlacher on Twitter

dead_poet wrote:Brian Urlacher - LB - Free Agent

Free agent MLB Brian Urlacher has retired from the NFL after 13 seasons.

Urlacher, 35 in three days, spent his entire career with the Bears. "Although I could continue playing, I'm not sure I would bring a level of performance or passion that's up to my standards," Urlacher wrote in a statement. "When considering this, along with the fact that I could retire after a 13-year career wearing only one jersey for such a storied franchise, my decision became pretty clear." It's hard to see Urlacher forced out of the game like this, but no team was willing to sign him after his skills declined sharply last season. An injury to a middle linebacker around the league could give Urlacher an opportunity, and he could change his mind. But at this moment, he finishes his career with 1,229 tackles, 41.5 sacks, 22 interceptions, and 12 forced fumbles. He's a shoo-in for the Hall of Fame.
Source: Brian Urlacher on Twitter

I agree, it's tough to see him more or less forced into retirement like this but he had a career he can be very proud of and as he said, it's cool that he can retire having only played for one team.

Jim

Interesting.

Mike Singletary is only HOF enshrinee whose career started after 1980.

Good for him. Admittedly, it's going to be a little odd to never seem out there again. I'm sure it's not a bad thing, though.

He'll be back. Just like Moss "retired" the season before last. Just like Favre "retired." Some team will be desperate enough to pull him out of retirement. He's still kind of young.

One less distraction for the Vikings.

dead_poet wrote:Interesting.

Mike Singletary is only HOF enshrinee whose career started after 1980.

Chicago Bears? Richard Dent?

Eli wrote: Chicago Bears? Richard Dent?

Sorry. MLB HOF enshrinee.