Brian Urlacher. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
(CBS) For the first time in his storied career, middle linebacker Brian Urlacher is an unrestricted free agent, but there is a silver lining for Bears fans pining to see No. 54 don the jersey he’s made famous in Chicago.
General manager Phil Emery made it clear Wednesday that the team wants Urlacher back – the price just has to be right.
“We have approached him about coming back,” Emery told the Tribune. “As far as working it out, that is an ongoing process.”
It’s not only Emery who wants Urlacher back, though. Head coach Marc Trestman said he saw “a very capable player” when reviewing the 34-year-old linebacker’s game tape from 2012, adding he believes Urlacher can play an important role in 2013.
Emery admitted the process of signing Urlacher will be difficult, simply due to salary cap constraints.
“We are up against the cap,” he said. “So, we are going to have to be very slow and methodical and make sure that every decision that we make is going to be in the best interest of our team moving forward in terms of putting the best players on the field to win. It is going to have to be slow because every dollar is going to count against the cap and we are up tight against the cap.”
