Chicago Bears leave opening for Brian Urlacher return

When the Chicago Bears decided to move on from free agent Brian Urlacher, the linebacker expressed disappointment that he never received a phone call from team chairman George McCaskey.
McCaskey might leave the Bears' personnel decisions up to his trusted football people, but he's still "heartbroken" over the loss of Urlacher.

"Our whole family is," McCaskey said Tuesday, via the Chicago Tribune. "Brian's just been the face of the franchise, an outstanding Bear on and off the field."

After a cool-down period, McCaskey reached out to Urlacher in recent days.

"He was very gracious," McCaskey said. "Brian knows how we feel about him. He's one of the all-time great Bears. He continued the outstanding linebacker legacy with the Bears."

Defensive tackle Henry Melton acknowledged that it was "strange" not seeing Urlacher when he arrived at Halas Hall on Tuesday morning for the beginning of the Bears' offseason program.
McCaskey did leave the door open for Urlacher's return if the right scenario presents itself.

"That's up to the market and (general manager) Phil (Emery) and (head coach) Marc (Trestman)," McCaskey said. "We'll see what happens."

Through the signings of veteran linebackers D.J. Williams and James Anderson, Emery and Trestman have already played their hand. Even if Urlacher has McCaskey in his corner, he's unlikely to play another down for the Bears.