The Chicago Bears have fired Lovie Smith as head coach.

The Bears missed out on the playoffs for a second consecutive season after the Vikings beat the Packers on Sunday.

Smith had received the vocal support of several key players.

Smith led the Bears to the 2006 Super Bowl and division titles in 2005, 2006 and 2010.

The Bears have already begun seeking permission to interview potential replacements for Smith.

Brian Urlacher was inactive for the Chicago Bears' regular season finale against the Lions.

Urlacher has been out since suffering a Grade 2 hamstring on Dec. 2.

Nick Roach will remain at middle linebacker for Chicago.

The following players have been voted to the 2012 Pro Bowl.

AFC Offense

Quarterbacks — Tom Brady, New England Patriots; Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos; Matt Schaub, Houston Texans

Running backs — Jamaal Charles, Kansas City Chiefs; Arian Foster, Houston Texans; Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens

Fullback — Vonta Leach, Baltimore Ravens

Wide receivers — A.J. Green, Cincinnati Bengals; Andre Johnson, Houston Texans; Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis Colts; Wes Welker, New England Patriots

Tight ends — Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots; Heath Miller, Pittsburgh Steelers

Tackles — Duane Brown, Houston Texans; Ryan Clady, Denver Broncos; Joe Thomas, Cleveland Browns; Marshall Yanda, Baltimore Ravens

Guards — Logan Mankins, New England Patriots; Wade Smith, Houston Texans

Centers — Chris Myers, Houston Texans; Maurkice Pouncey, Pittsburgh Steelers

AFC Defense

Ends — Elvis Dumervil, Denver Broncos; Cameron Wake, Miami Dolphins; J.J. Watt, Houston Texans

Interior linemen — Geno Atkins, Cincinnati Bengals; Haloti Ngata, Baltimore Ravens; Vince Wilfork, New England Patriots

Outside linebackers — Tamba Hali, Kansas City Chiefs; Robert Mathis, Indianapolis Colts; Von Viller, Denver Broncos

Inside/middle linebackers — Derrick Johnson, Kansas City Chiefs; Jerod Mayo, New England Patriots

Cornerbacks — Champ Bailey, Denver Broncos; Antonio Cromartie, New York Jets; Johnathan Joseph, Houston Texans

Strong safeties — Eric Berry, Kansas City Chiefs; LaRon Landry, New York Jets

Free safety — Ed Reed, Baltimore

AFC Specialists

Placekicker — Phil Dawson, Cleveland Browns

Punter — Dustin Colquitt, Kansas City Chiefs

Kick returner — Jacoby Jones, Baltimore Ravens

Special team — Matthew Slater, New England Patriots

NFC Offense

Quarterbacks — Robert Griffin III, Washington Redskins; Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers; Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons

Running backs — Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers; Marshawn Lynch, Seattle Seahawks; Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings

Fullback — Jerome Felton, Minnesota Vikings

Wide receivers — Victor Cruz, New York Giants; Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions; Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons; Brandon Marshall, Chicago Bears

Tight ends — Tony Gonzalez, Atlanta Falcons; Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys

Tackles — Russell Okung, Seattle Seahawks; Joe Staley, San Francisco 49ers; Trent Williams, Washington Redskins

Guards — Jahri Evans, New Orleans Saints; Mike Iupati, San Francisco 49ers; Chris Snee, New York Giants

Centers — Jeff Saturday, Green Bay Packers; Max Unger, Seattle Seahawks

NFC Defense

Ends — Jared Allen, Minnesota Vikings; Julius Peppers, Chicago Bears; Jason Pierre-Paul, New York Giants

Interior linemen — Gerald McCoy, Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Henry Melton, Chicago Bears; Justin Smith, San Francisco 49ers

Outside linebackers — Clay Matthews, Green Bay Packers; Aldon Smith, San Francisco 49ers; DeMarcus Ware, Dallas Cowboys

Inside/middle linebackers — NaVorro Bowman, San Francisco 49ers; Patrick Willis, San Francisco 49ers

Cornerbacks — Tim Jennings, Chicago Bears; Patrick Peterson, Arizona Cardinals; Charles Tillman, Chicago Bears

Strong safeties — Donte Whitner, San Francisco 49ers

Free safeties — Dashon Goldson, San Francisco 49ers; Earl Thomas, Seattle Seahawks

NFC Specialists

Placekicker — Blair Walsh, Minnesota Vikings

Punter — Thomas Morstead, New Orleans Saints

Kick returner — Leon Washington, Seattle Seahawks

Special team — Lorenzo Alexander, Washington Redskins

Despite excellent production from Brandon Marshall, Jay Cutler said he would rather distribute the ball more evenly.

"A lot of balls going his way. A lot of balls going B's way," Cutler said. "I think in an ideal world you'd like to get some other guys in the mix. If you can have three guys at 70, four guys at 50, 60, 70, and really spread it around.

"I think it makes defenses a lot more honest. [But] you're taking anything away from what they've done, it's impressive."

Dane Sanzenbacher has been claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Bengals.

The Bears released Sanzenbacher on Monday.

Sanzenbacher appeared in all 16 games and made one start last season. He finished the season with 27 catches for 276 yards and three touchdowns. 

The Chicago Bears are expected to re-sign Kahlil Bell.

Bell briefly appeared on the Jets' roster following his release by the Bears.

Matt Forte's backup, Michael Bush, was in uniform but did not play on Sunday.

Brian Urlacher defended Lovie Smith on Sunday evening following the Chicago Bears' 21-13 loss at home to the Packers.

"Two of the people I don't care about: fans or media," Urlacher said. "They can say what they want to about our head coach, about our players. ... It does bother me. They don't know what they're talking about, obviously.

"I know there are a lot of experts in the media, a bunch of smart guys out there who know exactly what they're talking about all the time. They don't know what they're talking about. Lovie is the head coach of this football team and hopefully will be for a long time."

The Chicago Bears and Lovie Smith are not currently engaged in contract extension discussions.

The Bears began the season strong, but have struggled in the second half.

Smith will be entering the final season of his deal in 2013.

Jay Cutler said he felt good and expects to play on Sunday when the Chicago Bears play the Packers.

Cutler has a neck and knee injury.

The Chicago Bears have placed Robbie Gould on injured reserve due to a calf injury.

Olindo Mare has been signed to handle kicking duties for the Bears.