Lance Briggs last year claimed he’d never play again for the Bears after they slapped the franchise tag on him. Now he may never leave. Yesterday, Chicago re-signed the three-time Pro Bowl linebacker to a 6-year deal.

Why exactly is the 6-year deal the magic number this offseason? Asante Samuel? 6 years with the Iggles. Jerry Porter? 6 years to the Jiggywires. Jeff Faine? 6 years to the Bucs. Madieu Williams? 6 years to the Vikes. (For $13 million guaranteed!?) Bernard Berrian? 6 years to the Vikes. Seriously, Minny, what gives?
Leaving aside the idiocy of signing Williams and Faine to those huge deals, what’s the appeal to the 6-year deal? Splashy dollars attached to a contract none of these players will see the end of? At least Donte Stallworth got seven years from the Browns. Because he’ll surely play there until he’s 34.