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Lance Briggs
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Lance Marell Briggs[1] (born November 12, 1980) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Arizona Wildcats and was selected by the Bears in the third round of the 2003 NFL draft, where he played his entire 12-year career. He was a seven-time Pro Bowl selection. Briggs played alongside Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker Brian Urlacher during his tenure with the Bears. The two would be regarded as one of the greatest linebacker tandems in NFL history.[2][3]
Key Information
Early life
[edit]A Sacramento, California native, Briggs attended Elk Grove High School in Elk Grove, California.[4][5] While at the University of Arizona, he was a three-time first-team All-Pac-10 Conference selection as a linebacker for the Wildcats. Briggs finished his college career with 308 tackles, 10.5 sacks, 36 tackles for losses, three interceptions, 10 passes deflected, five forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries in 33 games at strong side linebacker.
Professional career
[edit]| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 0+5⁄8 in (1.84 m) |
242 lb (110 kg) |
31 in (0.79 m) |
9+1⁄2 in (0.24 m) |
4.75 s | 1.66 s | 2.76 s | 33.0 in (0.84 m) |
9 ft 5 in (2.87 m) |
25 reps | |||
| All values from NFL Combine[6] | ||||||||||||
The Chicago Bears selected Briggs in the third round (68th overall) of the 2003 NFL draft. Briggs was the 13th linebacker drafted in 2003.[7]
On July 25, 2003, the Bears signed Briggs to a four-year, $2.06 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $690,000.[8] Throughout training camp, Briggs competed to be a starting outside linebacker against veteran Bryan Knight.[9] Head coach Dick Jauron named Briggs a backup outside linebacker to start his rookie season, behind Bryan Knight and Warrick Holdman.

He made his professional regular season debut during the Chicago Bears' season-opener at the San Francisco 49ers and made one solo tackle as they lost 49–7. On October 5, 2003, Briggs earned his first career start and recorded one solo tackle during a 24–21 win against the Oakland Raiders in Week 4.[10] In Week 9, Briggs collected a season-high 11 combined tackles (seven solo) during a 12–10 loss at the Detroit Lions. On December 7, 2003, Briggs recorded nine combined tackles (seven solo), deflected two passes, and intercepted a pass which he returned for the first touchdown of his career during a 34–21 loss at the Green Bay Packers in Week 13. Briggs made his first career interception off a pass by Packers' quarterback Brett Favre and returned it for a 45-yard touchdown during the first quarter.[11] He finished his rookie season in 2003 with 78 combined tackles (65 solo), four passes defended, one interception, and one touchdown in 16 games and 13 starts.[12]
In 2004, he made 126 tackles and was elected as a second alternate to the Pro Bowl.
In 2005, Briggs was selected to represent the National Football Conference in the 2006 Pro Bowl.
Briggs engaged the Bears for a contract extension prior to the 2006 NFL season. After the two sides reached an impasse, Briggs refused to attend the team's voluntary workouts and missed part of training camp. He was subsequently demoted in favor of Leon Joe but earned back his starting position.[13] During the season, Briggs was a major contributor to the Bears' defense that reached Super Bowl XLI. He recorded two interceptions, four forced fumbles, two interceptions, one sack, and a career high 134 total tackles.[14] Briggs was selected to play in the 2007 Pro Bowl, but declined the invitation because of an injured foot.[15]
Briggs and the Bears failed to reach a long-term contract extension as the 2007 season approached. The Bears instead placed a franchise tag on Briggs, which guaranteed him $7.206 million for the next season.[16] Briggs was dissatisfied with the move, commenting, "I am now prepared to sit out the year if the Bears don't trade me or release me, I've played my last snap for them. I'll never play another down for Chicago again."[17] The Washington Redskins inquired about acquiring Briggs and Chicago's 31st overall pick in the 2007 NFL draft for Washington's 6th overall pick.[14] The trade talks faltered and Bears refused to release Briggs.[18] He skipped the team's voluntary and mandatory spring training camp sessions out of protest.[19][20] Despite his comments, Briggs played for the Bears during the 2007 season, where he accrued 140 total tackles and earned his third Pro Bowl selection.[21]
The Bears re-signed Briggs to a six-year, $36 million contract on March 1, 2008.[21] He was ranked 92nd by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2011.[22]

On September 2, 2011, Briggs and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, formally asked the Bears organization for a trade, with three years left on his six-year contract.[23] The request came after Briggs asked the Bears for a raise.[24]
Briggs made the 2012 Pro Bowl team, but was unable to play due to an ankle injury.[25]
On April 11, 2012, Briggs was given a one-year extension, extended his contract through 2014.[26] In week 7 of 2013 against the Washington Redskins, Briggs suffered a fracture in his shoulder.[27] He rejoined the Bears in week 16, a 54–11 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.[28]
Briggs recorded 24 tackles and one interception during the 2014 NFL season. After starting the season as the Bears' weak-side linebacker, Briggs was injured during week 5 and missed three games. He commented that his future with the team was in jeopardy, as he was in the final year of his contract.[29] Briggs returned to play four more games, but injured his groin muscle during a week 13 game against the Detroit Lions. The Bears subsequently placed Briggs on their injury reserve list.[30]
Briggs became a free agent but remained unsigned through the offseason. He announced his retirement on September 2, 2015.[31]
NFL statistics
[edit]
| Year | Team | GP | COMB | TOTAL | AST | SACK | FF | FR | FR YDS | INT | IR YDS | AVG IR | LNG | TD | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | CHI | 16 | 78 | 65 | 13 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 45 | 45 | 45 | 1 | 4 |
| 2004 | CHI | 16 | 126 | 102 | 24 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 38 | 38 | 38 | 1 | 10 |
| 2005 | CHI | 16 | 107 | 83 | 24 | 2.0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 30 | 15 | 20 | 1 | 11 |
| 2006 | CHI | 16 | 134 | 113 | 21 | 1.0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 18 | 9 | 18 | 0 | 9 |
| 2007 | CHI | 14 | 102 | 83 | 19 | 2.0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 2008 | CHI | 16 | 110 | 90 | 20 | 0.5 | 1 | 2 | 21 | 3 | 12 | 4 | 9 | 0 | 11 |
| 2009 | CHI | 15 | 118 | 93 | 25 | 2.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| 2010 | CHI | 15 | 89 | 76 | 13 | 2.0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 7 |
| 2011 | CHI | 16 | 105 | 86 | 19 | 0.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 2012 | CHI | 16 | 103 | 74 | 29 | 1.5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 110 | 55 | 74 | 2 | 11 |
| 2013 | CHI | 9 | 71 | 51 | 20 | 3.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| 2014 | CHI | 8 | 35 | 24 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Career | 173 | 1,174 | 936 | 238 | 15.0 | 16 | 7 | 32 | 16 | 256 | 17 | 74 | 5 | 86 |
Key
- GP: games played
- COMB: combined tackles
- TOTAL: total tackles
- AST: assisted tackles
- SACK: sacks
- FF: forced fumbles
- FR: fumble recoveries
- FR YDS: fumble return yards
- INT: interceptions
- IR YDS: interception return yards
- AVG IR: average interception return
- LNG: longest interception return
- TD: interceptions returned for touchdown
- PD: passes defensed
Personal life
[edit]In August 2007, Briggs crashed his new Lamborghini Murcielago into a light pole. He then left the scene of the accident and reported his car stolen. He was charged with leaving the scene of an accident. He was also cited for failure to give immediate notice of an accident and improper lane usage.[32]
Briggs currently serves as a Bears analyst for NBC Sports Chicago's Football Aftershow, working alongside host Ruthie Polinsky and former teammate Alex Brown, and former Bears head coach Dave Wannstedt.[33]
Briggs is a lifelong comic book reader and fan. In 2020, alongside Kyle Higgins and Danilo Beyruth, he co-created The Trap, a science fiction original graphic novel, on Kickstarter, which was set to be published in 2021.[34]
References
[edit]- ^ "Lance Briggs Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
- ^ Dickerson, Jeff (January 3, 2012). "Caught in draft: Angelo's hits and misses". ESPN. Retrieved January 9, 2012.
- ^ Taft, Jay (September 10, 2010). "Together again: Briggs, Urlacher anchor Bears' linebacker corps". Rockford register Star. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
- ^ "Elk Grove native Lance Briggs plans to retire from NFL". abc10.com. September 3, 2015. Retrieved April 17, 2025.
- ^ "Football star's Elk Grove BBQ restaurant to close next week". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved April 17, 2025.
- ^ "Lance Briggs, Arizona, ILB, 2003 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". draftscout.com. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
- ^ "2003 NFL Draft Listing". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
- ^ "Spotrac.com: Lance Briggs contract". Spotrac.com. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
- ^ "Briggs Pushing Knight". ChicagoTribune.com. August 20, 2003. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
- ^ "LB Bryan Knight: Second string again?". 247sports.com. March 18, 2004. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
- ^ "Chicago Bears @ Green Bay Packers - December 7th, 2003". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
- ^ "Pro Football Reference: Lance Briggs stats (2003)". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
- ^ Johnson, K. C. (August 21, 2021). "Briggs wins back starting linebacker job". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
- ^ a b La Canfora, Jason (April 27, 2007). "Redskins reportedly interested in Briggs again". NBC. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
- ^ "Bears' Briggs, Kreutz pull out of Pro Bowl with injuries". ESPN. February 6, 2007. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
- ^ Chicagobears.com, Bears designate Briggs as franchise player Archived February 18, 2007, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on February 17, 2007
- ^ Glazer, Jay (March 12, 2007). "Bears Pro Bowler ready to sit out season". Foxsports.com. Archived from the original on March 15, 2007. Retrieved March 13, 2007.
- ^ La Canfora, Jason (April 27, 2007). "Redskins May Still Trade for Briggs". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 7, 2010.
- ^ Chicagobears.com, Bears determined to complete unfinished business Archived April 14, 2007, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on April 4, 2007
- ^ Yahoo! Sports, Briggs a no-show at Bears minicamp (May 18, 2007), Retrieved on May 21, 2007.
- ^ a b "Briggs signs six-year, $36 million deal to stay with Bears". NFL. March 3, 2008. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
- ^ "2011 NFL Top 100". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
- ^ Seifert, Kevin (September 2, 2011). "Hard to imagine Bears trading Lance Briggs"., Retrieved on September 3, 2011
- ^ McClure, Vaughn (August 29, 2011). "Bears' Briggs wants raise, not trade". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
- ^ "2012 NFL Pro Bowl: Lance Briggs and Brian Urlacher Ruled Out - SB Nation Chicago". Chicago.sbnation.com. January 9, 2012. Retrieved August 4, 2012..
- ^ "Briggs excited about one-year extension". Chicagobears.com. April 11, 2012. Archived from the original on June 5, 2012. Retrieved August 4, 2012.
- ^ Sessler, Marc (October 21, 2013). "Lance Briggs (shoulder fracture) out 6 weeks for Bears". National Football League. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
- ^ Mayer, Larry (March 17, 2014). "Briggs happy Bears re-signed Tillman". Chicago Bears. Archived from the original on March 18, 2014. Retrieved March 17, 2014.
- ^ Wiederer, Dan (November 8, 2014). "Lance Briggs faces uncertain future with resolve". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
- ^ Edholm, Eric (November 28, 2014). "Lance Briggs lands on IR; career with Bears could be over". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
- ^ Schwab, Frank (September 2, 2015). "Lance Briggs retires (probably) to join CSN Chicago's Bears coverage". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved September 2, 2015.
- ^ usatoday.com, Bears' Briggs: 'I panicked' after crash Retrieved on December 10, 2014
- ^ "Olin Kreutz to join NBC Sports Chicago's Bears coverage team". NBC Sports Chicago. August 20, 2019. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
- ^ Bleier, Evan (October 22, 2020). "Former All Pro Lance Briggs Takes on Systemic Racism in His Debut Graphic Novel". InsideHook. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
External links
[edit]
Media related to Lance Briggs at Wikimedia Commons
Lance Briggs
View on GrokipediaEarly life and education
Childhood and high school
Lance Briggs was born on November 12, 1980, in Los Angeles County, California.[1] His family resided in several areas across the state during his early years, including Oakland, before relocating to the Sacramento area when he was four years old after his mother, Brenda Briggs, accepted a position with the city of Sacramento.[4] Raised primarily by his mother in a female-dominated household in the Meadowview neighborhood of south Sacramento, Briggs experienced a nomadic childhood marked by frequent moves within California, which instilled resilience and adaptability in him.[8][4] Briggs attended Elk Grove High School in Elk Grove, California, after transferring from Florin High School following his freshman year to seek a more supportive environment for his athletic pursuits.[4] There, he emerged as a standout multisport athlete, participating in football, track, and other activities that honed his speed, agility, and competitive drive from an early age.[9] In football, Briggs was a three-year letterman, excelling as a versatile player who contributed on both sides of the ball as a running back and linebacker, while also serving as a safety, kickoff and punt returner, and place-kicker.[10] As a senior in 1998, Briggs helped lead Elk Grove to one of the section's most dominant seasons, earning All-CIF Sac-Joaquin Section honors for his dual-threat performance on offense and defense.[11] He was recognized as The Sacramento Bee's Player of the Year that season, capping a high school career that laid the foundation for his future in college football at the University of Arizona.[12]College career
Briggs enrolled at the University of Arizona in 1999 and began his collegiate career as a true freshman fullback, appearing in 10 games with 3 tackles while rushing for 163 yards on 25 carries.[10] He transitioned to inside linebacker the following year, starting all 11 games in 2000 and quickly establishing himself as a defensive leader with 113 tackles (77 solo), 11 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 2 interceptions, and 7 pass breakups.[10] In 2001, his junior season, Briggs earned first-team All-Pac-10 honors for the second straight year and was selected as the Wildcats' Most Valuable Defensive Player after starting 10 games and posting 93 tackles (59 solo), a team-high 7 sacks, 14 tackles for loss (-66 yards), 1 pass breakup, 2 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries.[10] Notable performances that year included 13 tackles against Washington State, 12 against Oregon, and 3 sacks versus rival Arizona State.[10] As a senior in 2002, Briggs served as team co-captain and received first-team All-Pac-10 recognition for the third consecutive season, leading the Wildcats in tackles during a 4-8 campaign while contributing 1 interception and 1 fumble recovery in limited action due to injuries.[13] Over his four seasons, he amassed 308 total tackles (205 solo), 36 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, 3 interceptions, 10 pass breakups, 5 forced fumbles, and 4 fumble recoveries, ranking 10th in program history for solo tackles.[14][13] His development from an offensive role to a standout defender highlighted his athletic versatility and tackling prowess, with standout games like 16 tackles against Utah in 2000 underscoring his impact.[10]Professional career
Draft and early years
The Chicago Bears selected Lance Briggs in the third round (68th overall) of the 2003 NFL Draft, drawn by his standout college career at the University of Arizona where he earned three-time first-team All-Pac-10 honors and recorded 308 tackles over three seasons.[1][10] On July 25, 2003, Briggs signed a four-year rookie contract with the Bears valued at $2.06 million, including a $690,000 signing bonus that served as the guaranteed portion.[15] In his 2003 rookie season, Briggs appeared in all 16 games for the Bears, starting the final 13 contests at strongside linebacker, and tallied 78 tackles (65 solo) along with 1 interception and 0 forced fumbles.[1] His quick ascent to a starting role highlighted his athleticism and tackling ability, contributing significantly to a Bears defense that ranked 22nd in the NFL in total yards allowed that year.[16] Briggs transitioned to a full-time starting role at weakside linebacker in 2004, pairing effectively with Pro Bowl middle linebacker Brian Urlacher, and posted 127 tackles (103 solo) and 0.5 sacks across 16 starts.[1] This performance marked his adaptation to the demands of an every-down defender in Chicago's 4-3 scheme, helping the unit improve to 13th in points allowed league-wide.[17] Throughout his early years, Briggs encountered challenges adjusting to the NFL's faster pace and intricate defensive concepts under coordinator Greg Blache, who emphasized disciplined gap control and coverage responsibilities for linebackers.[18] Despite these hurdles, his work ethic and versatility allowed him to emerge as a foundational piece of the Bears' linebacker corps by his second season.Peak performance and accolades
Lance Briggs reached the height of his NFL career during the mid-2000s, establishing himself as one of the league's premier outside linebackers through consistent excellence and leadership on the Chicago Bears' defense. From 2005 to 2011, he earned seven consecutive Pro Bowl selections, a streak that highlighted his sustained impact and recognition among peers.[1] In 2005, Briggs was named to the first-team All-Pro by the Associated Press (AP) and Pro Football Writers of America (PFW), capping a breakout season where he anchored a Bears defense that ranked first in the NFL in points allowed at 12.6 per game.[19] He followed with second-team All-Pro honors from the AP in 2006 and 2009, as well as first-team PFWA honors in 2006, 2008, and 2009, further solidifying his status as a defensive cornerstone.[1] Briggs' statistical peaks underscored his productivity during this era, with a career-high 134 combined tackles in 2006, alongside 1.0 sack, contributing to the Bears' run to Super Bowl XLI.[1] That season, Chicago's defense propelled the team through the playoffs, culminating in a 29-17 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in the Super Bowl, where Briggs recorded 11 tackles. He maintained double-digit tackle totals in each of his prime years, including 109 combined tackles in 2005 and consistent performances that often exceeded 100 tackles annually from 2004 to 2009, demonstrating his reliability against both the run and pass.[1][20] Briggs' versatility shone in key moments, as evidenced by his two interceptions and four forced fumbles during the 2006 regular season, plays that disrupted opposing offenses and fueled Chicago's postseason success.[1] Throughout his peak, Briggs played a pivotal role in elevating the Bears' defenses to elite levels, including their No. 1 ranking in points allowed in 2005 and No. 3 ranking in 2012 at 17.3 points per game, where his presence helped limit explosive plays and supported divisional contention.[21] His contributions extended beyond raw numbers, fostering a culture of physicality and turnover creation that defined Chicago's "Monsters of the Midway" revival, with Briggs often leading in tackles for loss and pass deflections during critical games.[1]Later years and retirement
Briggs' performance began to show signs of decline in the later stages of his career, primarily due to a series of injuries that hampered his availability and effectiveness. In the 2012 season, he recorded 103 combined tackles while starting all 16 games for the Chicago Bears, whose defense ranked third in the NFL in points allowed (277).[1][21] Despite the full participation, this period marked the onset of physical wear from 12 years in the league, setting the stage for more significant setbacks. The 2013 season was particularly challenging for Briggs, as a fractured left shoulder sidelined him for seven games, limiting him to nine appearances.[22] He managed 71 combined tackles in those contests but struggled to regain his prior form upon return.[1] Entering 2014, injuries continued to plague him; a rib injury caused him to miss the first three games, and he later suffered a groin strain during a Week 12 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which forced him out for the remainder of the year.[23][24] In his final NFL season, Briggs appeared in eight games, registering 34 combined tackles—including 24 solo stops—and one interception before the Bears placed him on injured reserve on November 28, 2014.[1][25] Over the combined 2013 and 2014 campaigns, these ailments—shoulder, rib, and groin—resulted in him missing a total of 15 games, a stark contrast to his earlier durability where he missed only four games across his first 10 seasons.[26] Following the 2014 season, Briggs entered free agency in the 2015 offseason but chose not to pursue opportunities with other teams. On September 2, 2015, he announced his retirement after 12 seasons exclusively with the Bears, emphasizing his deep loyalty to the organization and city.[27] In reflecting on his decision, Briggs stated that his dream had always been to retire as a Bear, noting, "It means the world to me," and expressing no interest in continuing his career elsewhere.[28][29] This commitment underscored his enduring legacy with Chicago, where he had become a cornerstone of the defense despite the injury-riddled conclusion to his playing days.Career statistics
Lance Briggs appeared in 173 regular-season games during his 12-year NFL career, all with the Chicago Bears, accumulating 1,181 total tackles (944 solo), 15 sacks, 16 interceptions, and 19 forced fumbles.[1] His individual accolades include selections to seven consecutive Pro Bowls from 2005 to 2011, First-team All-Pro honors in 2005, and an appearance in Super Bowl XLI as part of the 2006 Bears team.[1]| Year | Team | Games | Total Tackles | Solo Tackles | Sacks | Interceptions | Forced Fumbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | CHI | 16 | 109 | 85 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| 2006 | CHI | 16 | 134 | 113 | 1 | 2 | 4 |