According to ESPN 1000’s Waddle & Silvy show, Brian Urlacher reported through text message that his season is over.  The Chicago Tribune has reported the same news here.

This is a huge blow to the Bears on a Painful Monday morning as they are still getting over their embarrassing loss to the Packers.  If these initial reports are true, what do the Bears need to do?  For one, Derrick Brooks is available as a free agent.  If he has anything left in the tank, the Bears should at least consider grabbing him and inserting him in the lineup ahead of Hunter Hillenmeyer because Hunter is nothing but a liability as a linebacker.

The other option is to move Lance Briggs to the middle.  However, taking one of the leagues best linebackers out of his position and moving him might just be even worse for the Bear defense.  Briggs needs to stay put.

If these initial reports hold true, the Bears are in for a long season.  The Bears pass defense is weak and the good run defense was helped by the excellent play of Urlacher and Briggs.  Without Urlacher’s defensive leadership and playmaking ability, players like Briggs may have a tougher time shouldering a heavier load.

Regardless, the Bears need to step up on defense now in order to keep themselves in competition for the 2009 season.  It is still early on in the year, and this is a huge setback, but there is still time to right the ship and get on track.