Bears Reward Linebacker Lance Briggs With Three-Year Extension
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Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — At one point earlier in his career, Chicago Bears linebacker Lance Briggs was so unhappy with his contract status that he wanted to be traded from the team. Now, the Bears will likely have Briggs under contract for the rest of his career. The has signed Briggs to a three-year contract extension worth $17.5 million.
In 2012, Briggs will earn $3 million in signing bonus, a $3 million base salary, and an additional $250,000 workout bonus. In total, Briggs will earn $6.25 million in 2012. He would have received only $4 million under his original deal in 2012.
Briggs was drafted by the Bears in the third round of the 2003 draft. In his nine seasons with the Bears, he along with fellow linebacker Brian Urlacher helped build the foundation of an always-stout defense.
The 31-year-old Briggs has been named to seven straight Pro Bowls, and has amassed 969 tackles and 10.5 sacks while in the NFL. This past season, Briggs made 105 tackles along with one interception.
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