Bears: Deadline approaching for Briggs

The Bears and disgruntled franchise player Lance Briggs have until 3 p.m. (CST) on Monday to work out a long-term contract agreement. If the two sides fail to strike a deal, league rules will prohibit Briggs from signing anything other than the $7.2 million franchise tag for this season, according to the Chicago Tribune. Briggs has threatened to sit out the first 10 games of the season in protest of his contractual situation. Briggs has softened his stance in recent weeks, but it remains to be seen whether the two sides can hammer out a deal before the deadline.