Lance Briggs Open To Re-Signing With Bears, Willing To Move To ILB If Needed

Impending free agent OLB Lance Briggs says he’s open to returning to the Bears the next season now that they have a new GM and head coach in place.

According to Briggs, the previous regime had indicated that he wouldn’t be brought back next season, but the veteran linebacker is now “hopeful” that he could continue his career with the Bears.

“The closure I had there was a different GM, different coach,” Briggs said, per Brad Biggs. “My understanding there was this was my last year and I am moving on.

“New GM, new coach, we haven’t had those kinds of talks yet. Obviously, the door is open.”

Briggs even mentioned that he would be willing to play inside linebacker for new DC Vic Fangio if it helped his chances of being back. However, he has yet to speak to anyone from the Bears regarding this idea, according to Biggs.

Briggs, 34, has finished out his three-year, $17.5 million contract and will be an unrestricted free agent in the coming months.

Aging linebackers rarely do well in free agency, so it seems likely that Briggs could be had for a reasonable salary, and possibly a one-year contract.

In 2014, Briggs appeared in eight games and recorded 35 tackles, one interception, a forced fumble and three pass defenses for the Bears defense. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 10 outside linebacker in a 4-3 system.