Wannstedt Expects to Return

Coach Dave Wannstedt said Thursday he expects to return to the Chicago Bears next season and the following two, fulfilling a contract that runs through 2000.

The Bears are 4-11 going into their season finale Sunday at Tampa Bay. Wannstedt has a 36-43 record since replacing Mike Ditka in 1993, and his teams have made the playoffs only once in five years.

Wannstedt wouldn’t directly comment on published reports Thursday saying he knows he’s coming back, even though Bear president Michael McCaskey has never stated so publicly.

“I hate to downplay, but nothing is really any different. There’s been no major meetings or talks,” Wannstedt said Thursday after practice.

“All the talk has been how we can win the next game and any discussion on players has been for next year. Mike has been very supportive all year long. I’ve just said all year long that I have a contract and expect to fulfill it. That’s where it’s at.”

McCaskey suggested in a radio interview several weeks ago that he was not inclined to make a coaching change, saying that Wannstedt was not to blame for poor player performance and injuries.

Wannstedt’s contract calls for him to receive $3.5 million over its final three years.

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New England running back Curtis Martin practiced despite a shoulder injury, but doesn’t know if he can play in the Patriots’ game at Miami on Monday night. . . . Quarterback Warren Moon will start for Seattle in the Seahawks’ game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. Moon suffered bruised ribs in Seattle’s 31-24 loss at Baltimore on Dec. 7 and did not play in last Sunday’s 22-21 victory over Oakland.