Dec. 03--Lance Briggs insists he's not bitter. He's not crushed. He's not disenchanted that his 2014 season and likely his career with the Chicago Bears came to an end two weeks ago against Tampa Bay when he went to jam a receiver and hurt his groin.
Being a 12-year NFL veteran, Briggs has seen enough teammates come and go with more than a few cruel and unceremonious goodbyes. So he's well aware that endings in the NFL are often hollow. And that's how his days as a Bear appear to be coming to a close.
Briggs left the field in the first half of that 21-13 win over the Buccaneers. And after seeking multiple medical evaluations on his injury, he said he was informed his recovery time would be in the ballpark of 5-6 weeks.
The Bears told Briggs a day before Thanksgiving they would be placing him on Injured Reserve. And that move was officially announced Friday, a day after the team lost 34-17 to the Detroit Lions.
By the time Briggs taped the latest episode of "The Lance Briggs Show" on Comcast SportsNet Chicago on Tuesday, he had already reached acceptance of his fate. As one of the last remaining links to the Bears' 2006 Super Bowl run, Briggs has seen the awkward endings that have ushered established stars like Olin Kreutz, Brian Urlacher and Devin Hester away from Halas Hall for good.
"I've been through some nasty contract disputes," Briggs told host Pat Boyle Tuesday. "I got a chance to see a lot of guys come and go. And I got a chance to see how things were handled with players before me. So for me, it just laid the foundation for what's to come.
"For me, I prepared myself for the days that are coming. So I don't hold bitterness. There's no bitterness. When I think of the whole situation, I think of all the great years and I'm thankful for everything that Chicago has meant to me."
Briggs was a third-round draft pick in 2003 and ultimately became a seven-time Pro Bowl selection as a ferocious linebacker who combined size, athleticism and instincts to become a playmaking force.
For the final month of his 12th season with the Bears, he'll be sidelined, stuck as a sidelined observer as his final days with the organization tick away. He said Tuesday that he suffered ligament damage to his adductor muscle when he went down against the Bucs. This wasn't how he wanted things to end.
"Not at all," Briggs said. "I wanted to walk out on that field in my Bears gear at least one last time and (finish) on my own terms. But I still get to walk out on that field. I still get to go out there and watch my teammates."
Briggs' current contract with the Bears expires in March. And while no one is expecting him to re-sign in Chicago for a 13th season, Briggs did reiterate Tuesday that he isn't ready to formally retire just yet.
Asked if he expected to be playing somewhere in 2015, the linebacker shrugged.
"I think so," Briggs said. "I mean I don't know. I'm always positive about things. I want to play. But it has to be the right situation. And if not, then there's always 'The Lance Briggs Show.' ... Once I'm done, I'm done. That's the reason why next year is a realistic goal. For me, I'm going to prepare this offseason as if I'm going to play. But the right call has to happen, the right situation has to be there. And if it is, I'll play. If not, then I'll hang it up."
dwiederer@tribpub.com
Twitter @danwiederer
