Briggs: "I'm a Bear Until I'm Not a Bear"

By Chuck Sudo in News on Sep 2, 2011 1:30PM

What a difference a week makes. Monday, Bears Linebacker Lance Briggs said his dissatisfaction with his current contract wouldn't affect his play on the field and he "love(s) it here."

Today, Briggs tells Tribune reporter Vaughn McClure, "I'm 100 percent a Bear, until I'm not a Bear anymore." Briggs' agent Drew Rosenhaus formally filed a trade request with Bears contract negotiator Cliff Stein.

Briggs and Rosenhaus asked the Bears to renegotiate the contract he signed three years ago so his salary is in line with new contracts signed by younger, less proven linebackers, a request general manager Jerry Angelo refused. Briggs has three years left on his current deal and will receive $3.9 million, including bonuses, this season.

"The Bears made their decision, now I have to make mine," Briggs said in what's become the worst case of signer's remorse since Scottie Pippen signed his 7-year, $21 million contract with the Bulls after they won their first NBA Title. "It's just how the business works. It's not going to take away from what I do on the field."

The Bears wouldn't comment to the Tribune about Brggs' trade demand but, should they grant it, Briggs and Rosenhaus will be able to talk with other teams to see if a deal can be reached.