The Facts:
Barring what Lovie Smith's agent calls an "unforseen breakthrough," the Bears coach expects to return for the 2007 season without a new contract.
Frank Bauer, Smith's agent, told ESPN's Chris Mortensen that talks between the team and coach were at a "stalemate." Bauer added: "We're not close, we're not encouraged and based on where talks have gone recently, Lovie will be a free agent after next season."
Reported by ESPN.com
Fantasy Football Diehards Line:
Smith has one year remaining on his original contract. He was the league's lowest-paid coach at $1.35 million in 2006 and will remain No. 32 on the paylist at $1.45 million in '07. According to Profootballtalk.com, the Bears offered Smith a deal worth less than $3.2 million since the Super Bowl.
Profile
Home
