Bears hit Briggs with franchise tag

Football Betting Lines

02/16/2007 - Lake Forest, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Chicago Bears designated linebacker Lance Briggs as their franchise player on Friday.

The designation means that Briggs will be guaranteed a one-year contract for an average of the five highest paid players at the position, which is an estimated $7.2 million. This is the first time that the contract is guaranteed thanks to the new Collective Bargaining Agreement that has gone into effect.

Briggs, who was to become an unrestricted free agent March 2, can still sign an offer sheet with another team. However, the Bears have the right to match the deal or receive two first-round draft picks as compensation.

Briggs had a career-high 176 tackles and was selected to his second straight Pro Bowl this season.

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