CHICAGO (AP) — Lance Briggs and the Chicago Bears remained at a stalemate Monday as time ran out for the Pro Bowl linebacker to sign a multiyear contract.
Upset that the Bears slapped him with the franchise-player tag in February, Briggs threatened a holdout — at first for the entire season and then for 10 games so he could report for the final six to qualify as serving one year as a franchise player.
The designation made it difficult for Briggs to market himself to other teams because the Bears have the right to match any offer sheet he signs. If they chose not to match another offer, the Bears would get the other team's first-round draft picks in 2007 and 2008 as compensation.
Briggs, who would have become an unrestricted free agent in March, made his second straight Pro Bowl and helped the Bears win the NFC championship last season.
Time runs out for Briggs extension with Bears - USATODAY.com
07-18-2007, 06:01 AM
Clock ticking for Bears, Briggs 
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