CHICAGO - Lance Briggs probably will play next to Brian Urlacher for at least another season.

The NFC champion Chicago Bears on Friday designated the two-time Pro Bowl linebacker as their franchise player.

Players that are named as franchise players automatically get tendered the average salary of the top five players at their position or 20 percent above their previous salary, whichever is greater.  A transition player gets the average of the top 10 salaries at his position.

Briggs’ salary for 2007 will be at least $7.2 million. The franchise tag also allows the Bears a chance to match any offer or receive two first-round picks should another team sign Briggs.

NFL teams have until Feb. 22 to designate eligible unrestricted free agents as franchise or transition players.

Briggs, 26, has developed into one of the game’s best linebackers at his weakside position while playing alongside Urlacher, a six-time Pro Bowler who anchors the middle of the Chicago defense.

In helping the Bears reach the Super Bowl for the first time in 21 years, Briggs recorded a career-high 130 tackles to go along with one sack and two interceptions.

A 2003 third-round pick, Briggs has registered 445 tackles, 3 1/2 sacks, six interceptions and three touchdowns in 64 career games.

The Cincinnati Bengals designated defensive end Justin Smith as their franchise player on Thursday.

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