We haven’t heard much regarding the 49ers’ courtship of linebacker Lance Briggs in some time, but that doesn’t mean that it has fizzled out any. The 49ers remain interested in signing the seven-time Pro Bowl linebacker, a source tells Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com.
Briggs, 34 (35 in November), played his whole career with the Bears, playing in 173 games and earning seven Pro Bowl appearances while making a case for the Hall of Fame. The Bears, however, opted to go in a new direction this offseason and in early March they informed him that he wouldn’t be returning for another season. Briggs, who entered the league as a third-round pick in 2003, was a key piece on the defensive side of the ball for the Bears for more than a decade. Known for being tough and durable throughout his career, Briggs has missed 15 of 32 games across the last two seasons. That’s a stark contrast to the four total contests he missed in his first ten seasons.
In late March, San Francisco brought Briggs in for a tryout and, until today, there wasn’t any word on where Briggs stood with the team. It sounds like Briggs could still be brought in to provide the 49ers with veteran depth, though he likely wouldn’t be counted on for the kind of production he offered years ago. After Patrick Willis‘ and Chris Borland‘s sudden retirements in March, the Niners could use some reinforcements at inside linebacker.