NFL Trade Speculation: 5 Teams That May Trade for Chicago Bears LB Lance Briggs

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Longtime Chicago Bears linebacker Lance Briggs demanded to be traded Friday through his agent.

The six-time Pro Bowler said he wanted to restructure his six-year, $36 million deal that pays him $14.4 million plus bonuses.

Even though Chicago is $19 million under the cap, the organization would prefer to honor the original deal.

If the Bears decide to part ways with the 30-year-old problem child, here are five teams that might be willing to take Briggs off their hands.

The Philadelphia Eagles

Lance Briggs could provide some experience to an inexperienced Philadelphia Eagles linebacking corps that features Moise Fokou.
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Philadelphia has three starters with less experience than Lance Briggs and his eight years of NFL service. The projected starters are rookie Casey Matthews, Moise Fokou and Jamar Chaney.

This could be a major weakness in Philadelphia's defense, a team that geared up for a Super Bowl run by resigning Michael Vick, inking top free agents Cullen Jenkins, Nnamdi Asomugha and Jason Babin, and trading for Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.

If the Eagles land Briggs, they could be the team to beat in the NFC. To make that happen, they could part ways with one of their young linebackers or perhaps deal a backup cornerback in Joselio Hanson or Brandon Hughes.

The Seattle Seahawks

Getting Lance Briggs could offset the Seattle Seahawks losing star linebacker Lofa Tatupu.
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The Seattle Seahawks could use Lance Briggs' experience and ability to replace departed three-time Pro Bowl linebacker Lofa Tatupu.

At the moment, Seattle is banking on Tatupu's backup David Hawthorne to step up. Aaron Curry is starting at weak side while an average Leroy Hill starts at strong.

The Seahawks could deal rookie cornerback Richard Sherman to the Bears for Briggs.

Obtaining Briggs could be the competitive advantage Seattle needs in order to counter NFC West rivals Arizona Cardinals, as well as the St. Louis Rams who look to be dangerous with a more experienced Sam Bradford at the helm.

The New York Giants

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For the New York Giants to compete against the newly reloaded Philadelphia Eagles, they might have to upgrade their linebacking corps.

Starting strong side linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka played defensive end most of his career and has had previous issues with a broken leg and a herniated cervical disk.

Jonathan Goff is the top middle linebacker, but he has 107 career tackles, though 80 came in 2010.

Lance Briggs could come in at middle or strong, becoming a nice complement to weak side Michael Boley.

The Giants' secondary has suffered some significant injuries, and Briggs might be able to offset some of those losses. Top cornerback Terrell Thomas is lost for the season with a torn ACL while first-round selection Prince Amukamara is projected to be out until October.

New York could land Briggs if they are willing to give Chicago a first-round draft pick as compensation.

The San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis could use a formidible sidekick in Lance Briggs.
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The San Francisco 49ers could make a splash if they acquire Lance Briggs for their 3-4 defense.

With four starting linebackers, depth is required for an effective 3-4.

Briggs would play alongside fellow stud linebacker Patrick Willis, the 2007 Defensive Rookie of the Year and four-time Pro Bowler. The two would be the focal points of the 49ers attack.

Briggs could start for Ahmad Brooks or Parys Haralson.

San Francisco could deal a first-round pick or maybe temp the Bears with Aldon Smith, who was a top defensive end coming into the NFL Draft. Smith is a backup linebacker right now.

The Atlanta Falcons

Lance Briggs could help aging linebacker Mike Peterson lead the Altanta Falcons' defense.
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Winning the 2010 NFC South title, the Atlanta Falcons did not do well come playoff time as Green Bay creamed them 48-21.

The Falcons need to shore up their defense, and trading for Lance Briggs is a positive solution. 

Weak side linebacker Mike Peterson is a stud, but he could be slowing down at 35 and strong side Sean Weatherspoon is a second-year player.

Briggs would work with another top middle linebacker in Curtis Lofton, a similar pairing to Briggs' matchup with Brian Urlacher for years.

Young backup safety Rafael Bush or backup weak side Stephen Nicholas could intrigue the Bears enough to part ways with Briggs.  

Bob Bajek is a freelance reporter and can be followed at Patch.com and Twitter.