Lance Briggs hints at retirement, says official decision still to come
Seven-time Pro Bowl linebacker Lance Briggs seemed to indicate his intention to retire from the NFL on Wednesday after 12 productive seasons with the Chicago Bears.
Briggs announced on CSN's broadcast of a Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds game that he'll join the network's Bears coverage as a studio analyst for the 2015 campaign.
Despite claiming to have those plans in place for what would be his first full season away from the game, the 34-year-old later made sure to at least temporarily leave the door open for a return.
Ahem! I have not filed any papers. I have NOT offically retired. However, I am excited to ... https://t.co/JAhkVKD8dS pic.twitter.com/mQMXUuDmW9
— Lance Briggs (@LanceBriggs) September 2, 2015
After joining the Bears as a third-round draft selection in 2003, Briggs pushed his way into the starting lineup to secure a role he'd maintain thereafter.
Briggs started 170 games during his time in Chicago, producing as one of the NFL's top linebackers on a strong defense for the better part of that stretch.
Although he was able to generate interest from other teams around the league after becoming a free agent this offseason, Briggs' NFL career now appears set to end appropriately, as he's played for the Bears from start to finish.