With Chicago Bears’ QB Jay Cutler likely doubtful for Monday night’s matchup against the San Francisco 49ers the Bears made sure they had an insurance policy.
They announced today the signing veteran QB Josh McCown to a one-year deal. McCown spent three games with the team after the Caleb Hanie experiment in 2011.
McCown who started two games a year ago completed 35 of 55 passes for 414 yards with two touchdowns, four interceptions and a 68.3 passer rating during that span. He also ran for 68 yards on 12 attempts.
He was on the roster this training camp until August 31. The Bears opted to keep just Cutler and Campbell on the active roster and undrafted rookie Matt Blanchard on the practice squad.
The Bears released backup tight end Brody Eldridge to make room for McCown.
Honestly the Bears are very lucky a guy like McCown was on the street. He is familiar with the offense and he showed poise under center especially in the season finale.
In the season finale against Minnesota, he completed 15 of 25 passes for 160 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Not great numbers, but pretty solid for a guy who spent most of the 2011 season coaching high school football.
In his eight year career, he’s made 31 starts throwing for 6,584 yards with 35 touchdowns, 40 interceptions and a 71.3 passer rating.
If Cutler can’t go McCown will backup Campbell and likely be a coach on the sideline for him.
Due to the fact that Cutler has a history of concussions dating back to his Vanderbilt days and most recently his Denver days, he is a longshot to suit up on Monday night.
He will have to pass several tests and I’m sure Cutler and the Bears don’t want to risk a more severe injury. Concussions are something you don’t want to mess around with especially with your starting quarterback.
It’s certainly tough for Cutler and the Bears to deal with yet another injury after the team got off to such a great start. A year ago, the Bears were 7-3, when Cutler went down with a thumb injury and now the Bears are 7-2, with Cutler out.
The thumb injury was more severe last season. He could potentially play in Week 12 against Minnesota if cleared by the doctors.
Bringing back McCown was really the smartest thing the Bears could do at this point with Cutler dealing with his concussion symptoms.
It also creates competition for Jason Campbell, who didn’t perform very well in the second half of Sunday night’s game.
Campbell should be better prepared this week with a whole week of practice with the first-team offense.
Jake Perper is the owner and head writer for Bearsbacker.com. Follow him on Twitter, @Bearsbacker and on Facebook for up to the minute news about the Bears.
