Bears Part Ways With Urlacher

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Bears are parting ways with eight-time Pro Bowl linebacker Brian Urlacher (UR'-lak-ur) after 13 years, after the two sides failed to agree on a contract. .

General manager Phil Emery says the two sides decided to move forward after reaching the impasse.

For years, the heart and face of the franchise, Urlacher is now a free agent.

He missed the last four games of his career with the Bears with a hamstring injury.

Urlacher started 180 games from 2000 through 2012, recording a team-record 1,779 tackles. He was the AP's defensive player of the year in 2005.

Chairman Brian McCaskey says the team wished its "humble superstar" the best.