Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher disputed a report Friday morning that he threatened to retire if the Bears don't offer him more guaranteed money, the Chicago Tribune reported.

"I never said that I was going to quit," Urlacher told the paper. "That's just a gossip column. Reports like that is why I choose not to speak to the media."

Urlacher wants a multi-year contract extension to bolster the nine-year, $57 million deal he signed in 2003. He hasn't attended the team's ongoing voluntary workouts in Phoenix and told the paper he isn't sure he'll be at the mandatory minicamp May 30-June 1 if a new contract agreement isn't reached.

He didn't say if he would boycott training camp.

The Bears have been in talks with Urlacher's agents about the deal.

"They've offered me a one-year extension," Urlacher told the paper. "My agents are doing a great job for me. I try to stay out of it as much as I can."

Urlacher, who will turn 30 in May, is an eight-year veteran, but health concerns have a recent issue. He is coming off minor neck surgery and has arthritis in his lower back.

"Everybody knows I want to be in Chicago," he told the paper. "I've said that from Day 1. I can't imagine playing anywhere else. I want to be with my teammates. Could I see a scenario where I wouldn't be here? It would be if they traded me. But we all know that's not going to happen."

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