Well, now it's not just Jared Allen of the Chiefs [1]as the only elite defender unhappy with his current digs. Bears middle linebacker Brian Urlacher has alternately a.) had his agents ask the team to explore trade possibilities; b.) threatened to retire because of ongoing neck and back problems; and c.) threatened to hold out all the way through training camp if he doesn't retire. The sticking point is a new contract -- duh! -- which Urlacher would appreciate after watching teammate Lance Briggs get $36 million over six years. Urlacher's nine-year, $56.65 million deal, which included a $13 million signing bonus, was a big deal when the salary cap was set at $75 million. Five years later, and with players like Briggs and Seattle's Lofa Tatupu getting major dollars, Urlacher feels it's time for another re-negotiation.
The facts that the Briggs deal is set up for the Bears to get out of after two years without considerable financial difficulty (his roster bonus doesn't hit until 2010); and that four Seahawks teammates re-structured their contracts so that Tatupu could take a below-market deal, seem to have eluded Urlacher. Bringing up his medical history, and threatening retirement, may not be the best way to go.
The real question is what Allen's and Urlacher's gambits do to the draft order. Most mocks have the Bears taking Illinois running back Rashard Mendenhall at 16, a move that certainly makes sense, but what if Allen's desire to leave has the Chiefs looking at Ohio State end Vernon Gholston with the fifth overall pick, right before the Jets and Pats?
Links:
[1] http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3351406