Bears fans shouldn't expect reunion party in 2008

Whatever lineup the Bears trot out for next year's season opener, it's guaranteed to look a lot different than the team that takes the field today at Soldier Field.

While the 6-9 Bears have talked all week about making a positive final impression and building momentum for next season in the finale against the 7-8 New Orleans Saints, plans for next season are already in the works -- and they don't include many of the current players.

The departure of unrestricted free-agent linebacker Lance Briggs is a given, and the only way strong safety Adam Archuleta will return is with a greatly reduced salary and in a backup role.

The Bears would love to have a healthy Mike Brown back at strong safety, but he's missed 43 of 64 games the last four seasons. He won't be invited back for yet another comeback unless it's at a lesser salary or with a reworked, incentive-laden contract based on playing time. The Bears simply won't risk the $2.44 million Brown is due next season that he'll remain healthy for an entire season.

Darwin Walker has no chance of getting a $5.2 million roster bonus in March, especially since the Bears found out they could get more production and better effort from Matt Toeaina, a player they picked off the Bengals' practice squad and threw into the lineup six days later.

Even more turnover is expected on the offensive side, with quarterback Rex Grossman and go-to wide receiver Bernard Berrian eligible for free agency, and the aging offensive line in need of a major overhaul.

"There's always turnover in the off-season," tight end Desmond Clark said. "Last year we were just one of the few teams that I can remember where there wasn't a whole lot of turnover. But you always expect some. Guys have contracts, and they're going to look out for their best interests."

The Bears may be reluctant to let Berrian leave, considering one of the alternatives is continuing to overpay for the declining production and increasing drops and excuses they get from Muhsin Muhammad.

Already 34, Muhammad has three years left on the six-year, $30 million deal he signed after the 2004 season, and he's not close to playing up to those numbers.

The organization will also be reluctant to get into a bidding war for Berrian.

Devin Hester isn't ready for a full-time job yet at wide receiver, but the Bears may want to spend some money on an early renegotiations for him because of his game-changing ability as a return specialist.

Expect next year's offensive line to be minus right tackle Fred Miller, left guard Ruben Brown and Terrence Metcalf, who bombed as Brown's replacement. The reasons …

• Brown may decide he's had enough after 13 seasons and this year's shoulder surgery.

• Metcalf had six years in the system and never progressed.

• Miller doesn't have much left in the tank after 12 years, especially with a five-year, $22.5 million contract that has two years remaining.

Even special teams will probably take a hit, especially if Brendon Ayanbadejo is serious about being the game's highest-paid coverage specialist. It probably won't happen here.

Ayanbadejo is good, but he won't be nearly as productive away from special-teams coordinator Dave Toub's system and alongside teammates like Israel Idonije, Adrian Peterson, Rod Wilson, Corey Graham and Jamar Williams.

Ayanbadejo is replaceable, and he's 31.