LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) -- Chicago Bears running back Marion Barber has told the team's website he plans to retire.
His decision comes one day after Michael Bush signed a four-year, $14 million contract to be part of a backfield that includes disgruntled Pro Bowl running back Matt Forte.
The 28-year-old Barber – who is No. 4 on the University of Minnesota’s all-time rushing list -- spent his first six NFL seasons with the Dallas Cowboys before signing with the Bears in 2011. He was a backup to Forte last season and then saw extensive duty when Forte was injured in early December.
Barber had six touchdowns and 422 yards rushing, but will be remembered for two gaffes in a costly loss at Denver when he ran out of bounds as the Bears were trying to kill the clock, and then fumbled in overtime.
Barber’s best seasons were from 2007-09 with the Cowboys, when he ran for 975, 885 and 932 yards. In 2008, he added in a career-high 52 receptions and 417 receiving yards.
At Minnesota, Barber racked up 3,276 rushing yards from 2001-04, capping his tenure there with 1,269 yards in his senior season. Only Darrell Thompson (4,654 yards), Laurence Maroney (3,933) and Thomas Hamner (3,810) are ahead of Barber in career rushing yards.
Before attending Minnesota, Barber was an all-state running back and defensive back for Wayzata High School in Plymouth, Minn.
