Speaking Tuesday, owner Jerry Jones confirmed the Cowboys aren't pursuing retired ILB Brian Urlacher. "No," was Jones' to-the-point response. Now 36, Urlacher hasn't played since 2012, and was a shell of his former self in his final season for the Bears. He wouldn't help offset the loss of Sean Lee in Big D.

A team source now tells ESPN's Ed Werder that the Cowboys don't have much interest in free agent MLBs Brian Urlacher and Jonathan Vilma.

According to ESPN's Ed Werder, the Cowboys are evaluating all middle linebacker options, including veteran free agents like Brian Urlacher and Jonathan Vilma. Per Werder, the Cowboys want to replace Sean Lee (torn ACL) with a two-player platoon. They're not expecting in-house options Devonte Holloman or Anthony Hitchens to run with the job. Urlacher retired a year ago after finding crickets on the free-agent market and is 36 year old, but would theoretically fit in Rod Marinelli's Tampa-2. He reportedly "took notice" when Lee got hurt. Meanwhile, knee troubles have led to a sharp decline in play for the 32-year-old Vilma of late. The Cowboys are really scraping the bottom of the barrel here.

Ex-Bears MLB Brian Urlacher plans to file his retirement papers immediately. Urlacher isn't going to be wishy-washy. "We talked to every team in the NFL, and maybe in July or August it would have happened, but I'm not going to wait," he said. "I want to be somewhere where somebody wants me. I don't want to go somewhere where, 'Oh, so-and-so got hurt, we need you.' I don't want that to be the situation." Urlacher added that the contract the Bears offered him wasn't enough for him to put his body on the line for a 14th NFL season.

Retired Bears MLB Brian Urlacher says he's not returning "ever."

Free agent MLB Brian Urlacher has retired from the NFL after 13 seasons. Urlacher, 35 in three days, spent his entire career with the Bears. "Although I could continue playing, I'm not sure I would bring a level of performance or passion that's up to my standards," Urlacher wrote in a statement. "When considering this, along with the fact that I could retire after a 13-year career wearing only one jersey for such a storied franchise, my decision became pretty clear." It's hard to see Urlacher forced out of the game like this, but no team was willing to sign him after his skills declined sharply last season. An injury to a middle linebacker around the league could give Urlacher an opportunity, and he could change his mind. But at this moment, he finishes his career with 1,229 tackles, 41.5 sacks, 22 interceptions, 12 forced fumbles, and eight Pro Bowl selections. He's a shoo-in for the Hall of Fame.

Bears GM Phil Emery says re-signing free agent MLB Brian Urlacher is "less likely to happen than more likely." There's only so many ways for Emery to say it. Urlacher is not going to be re-signed. The Bears are moving on with one of rookie Jon Bostic or veteran D.J. Williams at middle linebacker. The Broncos and Vikings have recently been linked to Urlacher, but it doesn't sound like either is interested.

Coach Leslie Frazier confirmed the Vikings have no interest in free agent MLB Brian Urlacher right now. The Vikings would rather roll with Erin Henderson and a bunch of unheralded youngsters than bring in the 35-year-old Urlacher. "Brian has been a great player in our league for a long, long time," Frazier said. "He was a thorn in our side for many years. At this point we want to look at the guys on our roster, give them a chance to compete for the middle linebacker position then we'll see where it takes us."

NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reports the Vikings aren't planning to sign free agent Brian Urlacher, "barring unforeseen circumstances." The Vikings have a fragile situation at middle linebacker with former special teamer/weak side 'backer Erin Henderson currently penciled in, but Urlacher would only be an upgrade in terms of intangibles. What Urlacher put on tape last season is overriding his Hall-of-Fame r‚sum‚.

The Denver Post reports the Broncos are not interested in free agent Brian Urlacher "period." Middle linebacker is one of the Broncos' lone holes, but they're not interested in plugging it with a soon-to-be 35 year old who could barely move last season. The Chicago Sun-Times passed along speculation earlier Tuesday that Urlacher is "leaning" toward signing with the Vikings, but there have been no official reports to that effect.