Ayanbadejo's future on the line

MINNEAPOLIS -- With a 5-8 record and no postseason to look forward to, players take their motivation where they can get it.

Backup linebacker and Pro Bowl special-teams ace Brendon Ayanbadejo found plenty last week to elevate his intensity during position meetings with the other linebackers and their coach Hardy Nickerson.

"We have a bunch of guys who aren't starters in that room, so we're trying to secure our futures," Ayanbadejo said. "There's like six of us that aren't starters in there, guys like me and Rod Wilson, Jamar Williams (plus Darrell McClover and Nick Roach, along with rookie Michael Okwo, who's on injured reserve).

"So every day we have to prove ourselves because the second you're tomorrow's news, you're no longer in the league."

Ayanbadejo's contract is up after this season and, despite his prowess on special teams, he still will be a 32-year-old nonstarter next season.

"For me, I'm three games away from not having a contract anymore," he said. "I have to secure my future. I have to go out against Minnesota, Green Bay and New Orleans and play my best three games because I want to secure my future for '08."

All things being equal, Ayanbadejo would like that future to be with the Bears, which he claims is a common sentiment despite the disappointment of a season that fell far short of expectations.

"I think every guy in this locker room wants to be here," said the five-year veteran and three-year Bear. "We know what we had last year, and it was amazing. It was a great feeling playing in the Super Bowl, and we feel so let down, like we let the city down, we let ourselves down and our teammates down.

"It would be amazing to be here next year and get back to the Super Bowl. I think it would be even sweeter than going the first time."