49ers offers defense on tampering charge

The 49ers were called in front of the NFL commissioner on Monday in New York to defend themselves against tampering charges.

The Chicago Bears filed a grievance against the 49ers, charging the 49ers tampered with Bears linebacker Lance Briggs during the regular season.

The Bears reportedly held talks with the 49ers about trading Briggs in October. The trade did not materialize, and the 49ers showed no interest in Briggs once the free-agent signing period began nearly three weeks ago.

Although Briggs re-signed with the Bears, agreeing to a six-year, $36 million contract, the tampering charge against the 49ers was not resolved.

If the 49ers are found guilty, league commissioner Roger Goodell could dock the 49ers draft picks and/or levy a fine. A decision is expected within a week.

The 49ers did not comment publicly on the hearing, other than to acknowledge it happened. General manager Scot McCloughan, director of football operations Paraag Marathe and executive vice president of football operations Lal Heneghan reportedly took part in the hearing. Heneghan spent seven years working in the league office as the Management Council's director of labor relations.

The Bears were reportedly represented by general manager Jerry Angelo, president Ted Phillips and general counsel Cliff Stein.

McCloughan recently said there was no substance to the Bears' complaint that the 49ers broke the rules by beginning contract negotiations with Briggs' agent, Drew Rosenhaus, while Briggs was under contract to the Bears. The 49ers have good relations with Rosenhaus, who counts running back Frank Gore among his three clients on the 49ers' roster.

"There's nothing to it," McCloughan said on Feb. 28. "We have no response because there's nothing to respond to."

McCloughan added, "I think it's maneuvering by an organization trying to find the best way to keep their guy. From our standpoint, there's nothing to it."

There is some question whether the 49ers were ever interested in awarding Briggs a sizable contract. After all, the 49ers already have linebacker Patrick Willis, who plays much of the same role that suits Briggs.

In other news, the 49ers signed free-agent guard Qasim Mitchell (North Carolina A&T). Mitchell played 21 games with 16 starts over three seasons with the Bears. He has not played a regular-season NFL game for the past two seasons.