Lance Briggs: 2014 Probably My Last Year With Chicago Bears

Chicago Bears linebacker Lance Briggs told reporters the 2014 season will probably be his last with the team.

At 34 years old, Chicago Bears linebacker Lance Briggs knows he doesn’t have much time left in the NFL. With his contract set to expire after this season, he also knows this could be his last season with the only team for which he’s ever played.

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“I understand this is probably my last year as a Chicago Bear,” Briggs said Wednesday, per ESPN. “It’s the last year of my deal. It’s not like I’m going to magically show up after this year, and they’re going to open the gates up for you.”

Briggs knows all too well what happens when you’ve aged and slowed with Chicago. He saw the Bears decline to re-sign linebacker legend Brian Urlacher and the seven-time Pro Bowler expects the same treatment. He’s not bitter about it and he’s not ranting. Rather, Briggs seems to be just trying to enjoy his last year in the organization.

“I understand it, and this could be the last time I play the Packers,” Briggs said. “But for me, I just, I really enjoy my teammates, and it’s been unfortunate to watch from the sidelines because I want to see them find success.”

The Bears have had little enough success in 2014, as they sport a 3-5 record at the season’s midpoint. In the crowded NFC, that’s hardly going to be enough to make a playoff run. Still, with just half a season to go with the team, don’t expect Briggs to let up or be anything less than the professional he’s been since he arrived in 2003, when he grabbed his first interception as a rookie.

“I scored my first touchdown at Lambeau back in ’03 with Brett Favre,” Briggs said. “It felt like it was in the air forever, and I was just saying, ‘Lance, please don’t drop this.’ It was fun. I’ve had great battles at Lambeau, really, really great battles, and I’ll never forget it.”

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