Where should Brian Urlacher play next? Eight possibilities

Nate Davis, USA TODAY Sports | USATODAY

Like Ed Reed and Wes Welker, former Chicago Bears middle linebacker Brian Urlacher is saying goodbye to the team that launched him to NFL stardom after learning Wednesday that he's done in the Windy City. Where might Urlacher logically continue his career if he plays in 2013? About one-quarter of the league's teams seem to provide sensible possibilities (listed alphabetically):

Atlanta Falcons: With 13 seasons logged on his battered body, let's assume Urlacher is focused on playing for a contender. Why not join fellow graybeards Tony Gonzalez and Steven Jackson for a good team that's all in for the brass ring like the Falcons? They could use an upgrade at middle linebacker, though Urlacher might have to accept a limited role as Akeem Dent did with Atlanta last year. He'd also probably have to take something closer to the $2 million deal he rejected in Chicago.

Baltimore Ravens: With Ray Lewis retired and Dannell Ellerbe on South Beach, Baltimore has open jobs at inside linebacker. Urlacher has never played in a 3-4 defense, but aging Lewis — like Urlacher, his legs had lost much of their spring — was just fine there the past few years. Again, Urlacher will have to understand it's a buyer's market when it comes to veteran players, but could he turn down a chance to join a perennial power fresh off a championship ... and one that has holes to fill?

Cincinnati Bengals: Not that they've been paying any outside free agents, but the Bengals have plenty of extra cap space to give Urlacher $3 or $4 million next year. And with linebacker Manny Lawson moving to the Buffalo Bills, Urlacher could claim the starting job in the middle with Vontaze Burfict and Rey Maualuga (last season's rather ineffective middle linebacker), flanking him. Marvin Lewis has certainly been looking for leadership on his defense.

Dallas Cowboys: Jerry Jones doesn't have much left in the bank. But the Cowboys are reverting to a 4-3 defense next season, and Rod Marinelli (Chicago's defensive coordinator the past three seasons) is now on Dallas' staff to help new coordinator Monte Kiffin with the transition. Urlacher could be an ideal player-coach but would probably have to move to the stong side with promising Sean Lee a seeming natural in the middle.

Denver Broncos: They also appear to be on the verge of a title and offer a natural surface for Urlacher's creaky knee. Denver just signed Stewart Bradley to compete for a job inside, but Urlacher is a better option. He could also lend a new voice of experience now that fellow old-timer Keith Brooking, who started 14 games for the Broncos in 2012, is gone.

Detroit Lions: On the plus side, they need to replace free agent Justin Durant and might value a player who knows the NFC North intimately. But a Motown move would also probably force Urlacher to play outside, though he could probably make it work given his coverage skills. Still, probably not ideal.

Houston Texans: They brought in Reed, so why not Urlacher? Though Tim Dobbins and Bradie James were experienced 3-4 inside linebackers, neither was particularly effective in 2012, and both are now free agents. Urlacher might be a decent fallback — though likely with a specific role in a foreign scheme — next to Brian Cushing, who's coming back from his own knee injury.

Minnesota Vikings: Probably the ideal landing spot. With Jasper Brinkley now an Arizona Cardinal, the Vikes have a vacancy in the middle — and assuming his knee is improved, Urlacher is a better pass defender than Brinkley. Minnesota also appears to be ascending and would provide Urlacher two chances to beat the Bears.

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