NFLPA will tell FAs not to sign with Bears if Illinois passes workers' comp bill

As a decision looms on a bill that would limit workers' compensation in Illinois, it appears NFL players could be encouraged to reconsider their willingness to play for the only team in the state.

NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith explained in an appearance on the "Spiegel and Parkins Show" on Friday that he would tell free agents not to sign with the Chicago Bears if the bill passes.

"I will tell you from the bottom of my heart that this union will tell every potential free-agent player, if this bill passes, to not come to the Bears," Smith said. "Because, think about it, if you're a free-agent player and you have an opportunity to go play somewhere else where you can get lifetime medical for the injury you're going to have, isn't a smarter financial decision to go to a team where a bill like this hasn't passed?"

Most workers in the state of Illinois can claim workers' comp benefits until the age of 67. The bill in question proposes to end disability benefits for professional athletes at 35.

Smith explained that such a regulation would impact injury care for retired athletes, and called out Bears ownership for its support of the proposal.

"This bill being sponsored by (senate Republican minority leader Christine Radogno) is being designed to target professional athletes and take away their right to health care that every worker in the state of Illinois is entitled to," Smith said.

"The Bears' owners are behind it as well, to beat the expense of the players who actually do all the work. … They're pushing the bill. Our understanding is they're the people who have lined up the lobbyists to promote the bill."

The Bears, who made a number of key additions in free agency last offseason, figured to be major players on the open market this coming March. According to calculations made by Spotrac, the organization is tentatively scheduled to enter the offseason with more than $58 million in salary-cap space.