[Chicago Bears News]

Up to the minute news about the Chicago Bears from GoTeamsGo. We'll find the latest Chicago Bears news so you can chat about here.

Contract questions spoil Bears' day off
Indianapolis Star, IN - 4 hours ago
LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- The Chicago Bears players enjoyed the day off Wednesday, their final one before they resume preparations for their Super Bowl showdown with Indianapolis.

Team president and CEO Ted Phillips probably wishes he could have stayed home, too.

Phillips stepped to the Halas Hall podium and was asked eight questions regarding contracts in 171/2 minutes, some pointed and most regarding Lovie Smith, whose $1.3 million salary makes him the NFL's lowest-paid head coach. Phillips was also peppered about an expected new deal for general manager Jerry Angelo, whose current pact is through 2008.

Smith's contract status isn't a new topic for the Chicago media, and so to prevent distraction, Phillips said both sides agreed to postpone talks until after the Super Bowl on Feb. 4. But the saga took an intriguing turn when Dallas coach Bill Parcells retired Monday.

Thu, 25 Jan 2007 07:54:00 GMT

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[Lefty Noob]

Rumor has it Smith may be interested in going close to home and coaching the Cowboys, since he and the Bears have yet to agree on a new deal.

So what do you guys think? Where does Lovie coach next season?

[BUZZMAN2333]

Lovie will be in Chicago ..

Dallas is going to get either a lame duck coach ... or a very young one. They have already started hiring coordinators.

Lovie doesn't need that type of help. He has what he wants in Chicago ... and they will give him enough to keep him.

[vwchic1974]

I would hope that Lovie remains as loyal to the Bears as he has to Grossman. I would hate to see him go.

[BUZZMAN2333]

Lovie won't go anywhere except back in line at the Buffet ... he is staying in Chicago.

[vwchic1974]

Originally Posted by BUZZMAN2333

Lovie won't go anywhere except back in line at the Buffet ... he is staying in Chicago.

You are the one that keeps asking me if I think he will stay!

[Notorious C.L.E.]

Lovie seems like a loyal guy, but money talks. The fact that he is the lowest paid coach in the league is a slap in the face. I hope the Bears get smart and pony up some cash, but I don't know if this particular organization values the head coaching position as some others may.

[vwchic1974]

I heard on ESPN this weekend that the coach (dont know his name) for the TN Titans is only paid $250,000 per year....that his contract is up and if they want to keep him they will have to pay in the millions per year. Does Lovie make less that this guy?

[BUZZMAN2333]

Jeff Fisher is the coach of the Titans ... they must have mispoken because that is very hard to believe.

I think Lovie gets 1.25 million a year.

Lovie is an honorable man. He signed the contract and is not complaining about it. This is what other coaches and players need to do.

I hope he will be compensated for his loyalty and his class.

Saying that ... Thank goodness Michael McCaskey is gone ... it may actually happen.

[azrael492]

I think he will stay also. He is getting a significant raise next year. Winning the superbowl or not will determine how much.

[ThePundit]

Lovie dismissed the Cowboys idea. But from a negotiating standpoint, he probably shouldn't have done that. Scare the Bears into giving him more money.

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by ThePundit

Lovie dismissed the Cowboys idea. But from a negotiating standpoint, he probably shouldn't have done that. Scare the Bears into giving him more money.

Nah, Lovie doesn't seem to be that kind of guy. He's a straight shooter. He'll let you know exactly what he's thinking.

[BUZZMAN2333]

Anyone have any info on how negotiations are going?

I think Singletary will be the new coach of the Chargers .. any one else?

[Chicago Bears News]

Up to the minute news about the Chicago Bears from GoTeamsGo. We'll find the latest Chicago Bears news so you can chat about here.

Bears coach willing to let negotiations run course
Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, IN - 1 hour ago
INDIANAPOLIS – Lovie Smith stressed patience Friday, explaining that it takes time to work through contract negotiations.

The Chicago Bears coach doesn’t seem fazed by the fact that he has yet to have a deal in place more than a month after the Super Bowl.

“I have a contract,” Smith said. “I would like to be the Chicago Bears head football coach the rest of my coaching career. It is a great franchise. I have a great job and work for good people.”

Smith said negotiations are taking place between his agent and the team working toward what he deems “a fair contract,” but that he is staying out of the discussions. Smith set no deadline for signing a new deal, other than saying his contract expires after the 2007 season.

“I’ve been told by management that I’m wanted and I’ve made it known that I would like to be the head coach of the Bears,” Smith said. “To me, there is no reason we can’t get a contract done.”

Sat, 24 Feb 2007 10:40:00 GMT

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[kenman923]

If Chicago doesn't offer Lovie what he's worth, I could see him going to another team who would be willing to pay him more. If Jeff Fisher leaves the Titans, perhaps, I could see Lovie Smith becoming the Titans new head coach. My thought is that Jeff Fisher may take a gig with either Washington, Philadelphia, NY Giants, Tampa Bay, Cleveland, or even Cincinnati.