What is it with Chicago Bears linebackers?  I thought they were supposed to be tough guys.  But based on Brian Urlacher’s latest antics, that’s quite the fallacy.

First, Urlacher used a sore back and neck as an excuse for his subpar performance last year.  Then, he complained that he wasn’t getting paid enough.  Then, he demanded more money.  Then, he said he’d retire.

Or maybe he didn’t.

Just a day after a CHICAGO SUN-TIMES report that Urlacher was “threatening to retire because of neck and back problems,” Urlacher has issued a statement saying “I never said that I was going to quit.”

The SUN-TIMES also reported that Urlacher’s agents have asked the Bears to explore trade opportunities, which Urlacher also denied.  “Everybody knows I want to be in Chicago,” said Urlacher, “I want to be with my teammates.”

Except, of course, at the training camp that Urlacher is boycotting.