Geno Hayes

Reigning Defensive Player of the Year Luke Kuechly of the Carolina Panthers tops Around The League's preseason linebacker rankings. Find out where the rest of the pack ranks.

We're looking back over the past 25 years to find out which schools can lay claim to the title of "Linebacker U" and the battle for No. 1 on our list comes down to two nasty in-state rivals.

The futures of coach Gus Bradley and general manager David Caldwell are riding on the Blake Bortles selection. Will the quarterback sit his rookie season or eventually supplant incumbent Chad Henne?

The Jacksonville Jaguars released linebacker Russell Allen and three other players Thursday. Allen, the team's leading tackler in 2012, was set to earn nearly $2 million in 2014.

Von Miller led the Denver Broncos' defensive turnaround last season. Even with a six-game suspension, he gets the edge in our outside linebacker rankings.

Desmond Bishop isn't ready to sign with the Minnesota Vikings or Kansas City Chiefs. The former Green Bay Packers linebacker revealed that he's also drawing interest from the New York Giants and Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Chicago Bears continue to rebuild their depleted linebacker corps, bringing in former Carolina Panthers veteran James Anderson to help fill the void.

The Chicago Bears are down a linebacker after the versatile Nick Roach reportedly agreed to terms on a contract with the Oakland Raiders. Will the Bears now try harder to sign Brian Urlacher?

Around The League's Gregg Rosenthal ranks this year's free-agent linebacker crop, from the Baltimore Ravens' Dannell Ellerbe to the Chicago Bears' Brian Urlacher.

The Cincinnati Bengals designated defensive end Michael Johnson, who had 11.5 sacks last season, as its franchise-tag player on Friday.

Brian Urlacher acknowledged he could miss the rest of the regular season because of a hamstring injury, meaning the linebacker might have played his last game with the Chicago Bears.

Brian Urlacher reportedly could miss the rest of the regular season with a strained hamstring. The Chicago Bears linebacker sustained the injury in Sunday's loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

The Chicago Bears reportedly signed linebacker Dom DeCicco on Tuesday, providing insurance in the event Brian Urlacher is unable to play next week. Urlacher pulled his hamstring in Sunday's loss.

The fears of Chicago Bears fans came true Tuesday morning when the team revealed Brian Urlacher underwent surgery on his left knee, putting him in danger of missing the season opener.

Peyton Manning saw game action for the first time in 557 days on Thursday, going 4-of-7 passing for 44 yards in his sole offensive series in the Denver Broncos' preseason opener.

New receiver Brandon Marshall will team up with a healthy Jay Cutler and a happy Matt Forte to give opponents fits this season. Chad Reuter reports from Chicago Bears training camp.

The Chicago Bears say there is nothing to worry about in regard to Brian Urlacher's knee. The problem for the Bears, however, is that a nagging injury just doesn't seem to be going away.