The Chicago Bears have a number of questions regarding player personnel this offseason and they already took care of one of their biggest priorities, as they decided to use their franchise tag on defensive tackle Henry Melton.
According to ESPNChicago.com, the team announced that they are using their tag on Melton for the 2013 season and that he will receive a guaranteed salary of $8.45 million, which is the designation for defensive tackles. The team is planning on trying to work out a long-term extension with the player, which is something the team has done in the past with running back Matt Forte.
Melton wrote on Twitter about the news: "Good to be a Bear for another year," before adding, "Hopefully we can get a long-term deal done soon!"
The Bears have a number of players they need to sign and the first step in getting the salary cap space set was using the franchise tag. The salary cap is set at $123 million for the upcoming season and the Bears have a solid amount of room at about $12 million to spend on its free agent players and other targets.
"Henry has been a good player for us and we are using the franchise tag so his development continues as a Bear," general manager Phil Emery said. "We will continue our conversations with Henry and work toward a multiyear agreement."
The Bears will still need to sign their rookie draft class and they have tough decisions to make when it comes to linebacker Brian Urlacher or guard Lance Louis. The team also has to deal with the options of bringing back defensive end Israel Idonije, defensive tackle Nate Collins, reserve cornerback Kelvin Hayden and linebacker Nick Roach.
Last season Melton had six sacks and was tied for third among defensive tackles and the past two seasons he has 13 sacks, second among defensive tackles in the NFL. The move was expected for Melton or Urlacher, as the linebacker has spent his entire career with Chicago, but could now be nearing the end of it.
Urlacher was a candidate to be franchised, but the team was more worried about possibly losing Melton than the aging linebacker. The team has been coy about its plans regarding Urlacher, but that has not stopped the linebacker from preparing for the 2013 season as if he is a Bear.
According to ESPN.com, Urlacher posted a photo of himself working out with a message that said: "Can't wait for the season to start -- BU #gettingitdone."
Last season the All-Pro linebacker dealt with various injuries and he played in 12 games, missing the final four of the regular season after dealing with a hamstring injury. He has dealt with injuries in the past, including serious knee surgery and new coach Marc Trestman and general manager Phil Emery could decide to move in a new direction. While at the combine Emery spoke about the linebacker.
"If people are feeling that he's slighted, it's certainly not coming from me, because I have great respect for Brian as a person and as a player," Emery said. "Where this ends up, we'll work through Brian and his agents on that and that will be a private matter, and when we come to a resolution, we'll let everybody know. But just know, he'll never be slighted. I have too much respect for him.
Urlacher earned $8 million last season on the final year of his contract last season and he could stay with the Bears if he decides to take less money. He could also bolt to other teams with linebacker needs, including the Green Bay Packers or New England Patriots, who may shell out the cash for him if he is healthy.
