Brian Urlacher is one of the all-time greatest players in Chicago Bears history. Nobody was surprised when he became a first-ballot Hall of Famer. The man was one of the best players of a generation. It is impossible to imagine him in anything other than a Bears uniform. Yet based on what the man himself remembers, it almost ended up that way early in his NFL career. He dropped that mini bomb in a recent interview.
Urlacher appeared on the Bussin’ With The Boys podcast with Will Compton and Taylor Lewan. The episode has not premiered yet, but a brief trailer was unveiled offering snippets of what to expect. At some point, the 44-year-old admitted he was upset when the Bears fired Dick Jauron after the 2003 season. Up to that point, he’d had superstar success in Greg Blache’s defense. Losing it was difficult to stomach. He was skeptical when Lovie Smith was hired not long after. Urlacher didn’t realize it immediately but soon discovered that Smith might have been skeptical of him too.
Trading Brian Urlacher is difficult to fathom.
He was one of the best defensive players in the league when Smith arrived that year. How could he make a case for shipping out somebody that talented? The likeliest explanation is the defensive system. Smith was bringing the Tampa-2 scheme with him from St. Louis. Those who know the scheme pinpoint three positions as vital to its success: three-technique defensive tackle, weakside linebacker, and free safety. Middle linebacker isn’t viewed as essential.
So Smith wondered if Brian Urlacher was worth that 9-year, $56.7 million extension he’d signed in 2003. Perhaps the money and draft picks gained in trade could be applied elsewhere. Somebody must’ve talked the new head coach into seeing reason because the trade never materialized. Urlacher had his best seasons as a pro in that defense, guiding the Bears to three division titles and a Super Bowl berth.
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It is crazy to think how close Bears history came to be so different.
