Brian Urlacher will attend the Bears' mandatory three-day mini-camp starting Friday, the linebacker told the Tribune on Thursday evening.
Urlacher, who has missed all of the team's voluntary off-season activities up to this point, has not signed a contract extension. He has been lobbying for more money than the Bears offered in a one-year contract extension. The deal was believed to include $5 million up front, and $1 million added to his base salary per season granted he participated in 85 percent of the snaps. The extension through 2012 also was believed to include a base salary of $7.5 million in the last season. The Bears likely would rework that if Urlacher is still active.
Urlacher signed a nine-year, $57 million deal in 2003 that included up to $19 million in bonuses.
Urlacher has spent the majority of his time in Arizona the last few months rehabbing from minor neck surgery and spending time with his children. By the attending the mini-camp, he will avoid being fined the maximum of $8,165, per the collective bargaining agreement.Although Urlacher will rejoin his teammates, his campaign for more money is unlikely to end. He isn't the only Bear looking for a new deal. Defensive tackle Tommie Harris and return special Devin Hester also are seeking new deals. Neither Harris nor Hester participated in a recent organized team activity session open to the media.
Urlacher, who battled through an arthritic condition in his back last season, still led the Bears in tackles with 123. He also led the team with five interceptions to go with five sacks.
The Bears had no comment on Thursday.
Urlacher, who has missed all of the team's voluntary off-season activities up to this point, has not signed a contract extension. He has been lobbying for more money than the Bears offered in a one-year contract extension. The deal was believed to include $5 million up front, and $1 million added to his base salary per season granted he participated in 85 percent of the snaps. The extension through 2012 also was believed to include a base salary of $7.5 million in the last season. The Bears likely would rework that if Urlacher is still active.
Urlacher signed a nine-year, $57 million deal in 2003 that included up to $19 million in bonuses.
Urlacher has spent the majority of his time in Arizona the last few months rehabbing from minor neck surgery and spending time with his children. By the attending the mini-camp, he will avoid being fined the maximum of $8,165, per the collective bargaining agreement.Although Urlacher will rejoin his teammates, his campaign for more money is unlikely to end. He isn't the only Bear looking for a new deal. Defensive tackle Tommie Harris and return special Devin Hester also are seeking new deals. Neither Harris nor Hester participated in a recent organized team activity session open to the media.
Urlacher, who battled through an arthritic condition in his back last season, still led the Bears in tackles with 123. He also led the team with five interceptions to go with five sacks.
The Bears had no comment on Thursday.
