Bears defensive tackle Terry "Tank" Johnson pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor weapons charge Monday as part of an arrangement with prosecutors that will keep him from serving additional time in jail.

The Washington Redskins and Chicago Bears have rekindled talks under which the Bears would trade Pro Bowl linebacker Lance Briggs to the Redskins, NFL sources said yesterday.

General manager Jerry Angelo said Tuesday that the Bears could welcome back Briggs, who has threatened to sit out the first 10 games if he's not moved.

The Buccaneers joined the list of teams interested in the Bears' disgruntled outside linebacker, according to Adam Schefter of NFL Network.

During a national radio interview on Dan Patrick's show on WMVP-AM 1000, Brian Urlacher threw his support behind Lance Briggs, who has threatened a holdout if the Bears don't rescind the franchise tag and its $7.

Brian Urlacher was fined $100,000 by the NFL for wearing a cap during Super Bowl media day that promoted a sponsor not authorized by the league.

A proposed trade sending Chicago Bears linebacker Lance Briggs to the Redskins is on the ropes after the Bears turned down Washington's proposed swap of draft picks.

The Washington Redskins' proposed trade for Chicago linebacker Lance Briggs will reach a secondary stage on Monday when the Bears are expected to counter the Redskins' offer of the team's sixth overall pick in next month's draft in return for Chicago's 31st pick and Briggs.

The Bears weren't enamored with the Redskins' tactics last week, with Washington going public with its trade offer for disgruntled linebacker Lance Briggs before presenting the offer formally to Chicago.

The standoff between Lance Briggs and the Chicago Bears took another turn when general manager Jerry Angelo said he wants the Pro Bowl linebacker to return next season but a multiyear contract is unlikely.