Sep 14, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) rushes with the ball against Chicago Bears outside linebacker Lance Briggs (55) during the second quarter at Levi
The Bears may be ready to move on from veteran linebacker Lance Briggs, but that doesn’t mean he’s done playing football. The 12-year veteran is drawing interest from the San Francisco 49ers and Tamp Bay Bucs. Both spots make a lot of sense for Briggs.
Briggs is from Northern California and would be within driving distance of his new Double Nickel Smokehouse just outside Sacramento. The Niners are suddenly depleted at the linebacker position after the sudden retirements of Patrick Willis and Chris Borland.
Briggs and the 49ers have flirted before, but the relationship was never consummated. In fact, the Niners lost a 5th round draft pick for tampering with Briggs while he was still under contract with the Bears back in 2008. In 2011, Briggs demanded a trade after a contract dispute. Many thought he was angling to get closer to home.
Another possible landing spot for Briggs is a reunion with his former coach Lovie Smith:
"Sources told CSNChicago.com that Lovie Smith and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have had substantive talks with Briggs about re-joining Smith and his familiar 4-3 system in Tampa Bay. The Bucs, who are an away game for the Bears this season, already have signed safety Chris Conte this offseason and defensive tackle Henry Melton after re-signing safety Major Wright earlier this month."
I’m not sure how the move to Tampa would make football sense for the Bucs, who have Lavonte David inked in as their Will linebacker. Bringing in Briggs as a backup doesn’t make a lot of sense since usually backup linebackers are core special teams guys.
Stay tuned for more info about possible landing spots for one the Bears all-time great linebackers.