As the off season moves on, the Chicago Bears have an issue in several areas, but in particular, they have an oncoming train wreck that might happen in their linebacking corps.

The Bears put the franchise tag on Lance Briggs and he immediately began threatening the Bears with talk of sitting out the season. Then, he started talking about sitting out the first 10 games of the season in order for the Bears to not be able to franchise him again in 2008.

At any rate, if the Briggs fiasco isn't fixed by the time the Bears hit training camp this summer, there could be some trouble with the Bears linebackers in 2007.

This group is anchored in the middle by All-Pro Brian Urlacher who had another outstanding season. Briggs played very well opposite Urlacher, as did Hunter Hillenmeyer. After these three, there is a pretty significant drop off in talent, so the Bears may take a look at getting some additional depth in the 2007 NFL Draft.

Here's a look at all the players at the linebacker position on the Bears. Included are their statistics for 2006, a little bit on how they played last season and some insight into where the might be in 2007.

Lance Briggs

Last season, Briggs started in all 16 games for the Bears, recording 109 solo tackles with 21 assists. He had one sack, two interceptions, eight passes defended, four forced fumbles and one recovered fumble.

Briggs is an outstanding player and the Bears have been very lucky to have him on their team. However, thanks to his disapproval of the franchise tag that the team placed on him prior to the free agency period, he may either get traded to another team, sit the first 10 games of the season and then come back to play the final six games of the season, or he could just sit out the season all together.

The only way that this could work out well for the Bears would be if they either worked out a long term deal with Briggs or if he played (for his franchise tag money) in 2007. So, let's see what happens this off season to Briggs and what the Bears need to do to help shore up the position (if he leaves).

Hunter Hillenmeyer

In 2006, Hillenmeyer played in 15 games in 2006 recording 36 solo tackles with 12 assists. He didn't record any sacks or interceptions, but had two passes defended and one recovered fumble.

Hillenmeyer was solid last season and continued to show his worth on defense. Thanks to the play of Briggs and Urlacher, Hillenmeyer's inconsistencies were covered up and he did thrive in 2006.

Although Hillenmeyer isn't a spectacular player, he is fairly solid at the position and should continue to work well in the Bears defense. Unless the Bears bring in some additional talent (aside from anyone they might bring in to replace Briggs) Hillenmeyer might have to fight for his job but that is not likely to happen in 2007.

Leon Joe

Last Year,, Joe played in nine games for the Bears, registering six solo tackles with four assists. He didn't have any other recorded stats.

Joe figures into the Bears plans for 2007, especially if Briggs doesn't come back in 2007. He is good, but needs some more experience if he is to start at any time in 2007. Still, he should be very capable of starting if needed and will definitely be around in 2007.

Darrell McClover

In 2006, McClover participated in seven games for the Bears, making seven solo tackles and one assisted tackle. He didn't post any other stats for the season.

McClover was used primarily on special teams last year, and has a chance to remain with the Bears in 2007 thanks to his special teams play.

Brian Urlacher

Urlacher played in and started in all 16 games in 2006, recording 92 solo tackles and 49 assisted tackles. He didn't have any sacks on the season, but had three interceptions, six passes defended and one fumble recovered.

Urlacher played his usual best in 2006 and was a rock on defense. He had a monster game against the Arizona Cardinals in the Bears comeback win there and played very well throughout the season. There is no reason to expect Urlacher to be anywhere else but in Chicago in 2007.

Rod Wilson

Wilson participated in 13 games recording 18 tackles with three assists last year. He didn't have any other recorded statistics.

Wilson is a good special teams player and could become a solid backup at the linebacker position depending on what the Bears needs are at the time. He will get some competition to make the roster in training camp but should be able to make the team in 2007.

With the Briggs situation looming large on the Bears minds, there might be some changes with the linebackers in 2007. If Briggs chooses to hold out or gets traded, the Bears will have to find someone to replace him, and right now there is no clear cut replacement who could replace Briggs if needed.

The Bears will either try to groom someone from their pool of backups or perhaps try to draft one in the first or second round of the 2007 NFL Draft. They are pretty much set in the middle and might want to see if they get some competition in to give Hillenmeyer a push as well.

Keep an eye on the Briggs situation, as this will have a big effect on what happens with this group during the off season and during the 2007 NFL season.