It took tight end John Gilmore a couple weeks into free agency two years ago to start generating interest.
He's a more popular player on the open market this time around.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are reportedly working toward bringing him in for a visit.
Gilmore told the Sun-Times last week it was his desire to remain with the Bears, and any offer he gets he wants to give the team a chance to match. That is what happened in 2006 when the Bears agreed to pay him what the Oakland Raiders had offered following a visit to the Bay Area where he dined with ex-Bears offensive coordinator John Shoop.
The Bears signed veteran Desmond Clark to a two-year extension earlier this week but would like to retain Gilmore because he's the club's best blocking tight end, and a reliable target in the red zone. Clark was guaranteed $2 million to have 2009 and 2010 added onto his contract.
Uh oh, Gilmore's gone. Is Dustin Lyman available?