Bears Say They Will Have a Job for Payton After His Retirement

Retiring Walter Payton will remain with the Chicago Bears next year in a non-playing capacity, Bears’ President Michael McCaskey said Friday.

But McCaskey declined to specify what Payton’s position would be.

McCaskey said he and Payton would announce later the team’s plans for Payton, the National Football League’s all-time leading career rusher.

“It’s a significant role,” McCaskey said. “I’ve had a number of discussions with Walter. We’ve identified a role for him with the Bear organization that will do the Bears a lot of good and Walter a lot of good. It’s with an eye toward his dream of eventually owning an NFL franchise.”

Payton is scheduled to play his last home game with the Bears Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks.

McCaskey asked fans to arrive at Soldier Field 15 minutes before the noon kickoff for a brief ceremony honoring Payton. The team president said there probably would be few speeches.

One thing the Bears will not do Sunday is retire Payton’s No. 34 jersey officially, McCaskey said.

No. 34 will be put on the shelf, along with Gale Sayers’ No. 40, but it might be issued to someone else in case of an emergency.

“I’d like to, if possible, not issue it unless we absolutely have to,” McCaskey said.