Bears Will Look To Add Veteran Backup QB
(CBS) With Cutler sidelined for an extended period of time with a broken thumb, head coach Lovie Smith said the Bears will look to add a veteran quarterback to the roster.
He did insist, however, that Caleb Hanie will be the starting quarterback in the meantime.
"Hanie is the starting quarterback and our football team feels comfortable with him leading us," Smith said.
Rookie quarterback Nathan Enderle is the only other quarterback on the roster, however, so the Bears will look to add depth at the position to backup Hanie.
Veteran quarterbacks Jeff Garcia, Trent Edwards, Brodie Croyle and Kellen Clemens all worked out for the Houston Texans Monday, according to their team web site, and all four could be options for the Bears as well.
It also wouldn't be crazy to consider Marc Bulger, who retired in August after flirting with playing again this season. Bulger got his start with the Rams when Mike Martz made him the starter in St. Louis.
Smith also said the Bears will look for outside help to replace long-snapper Patrick Mannelly who tore his ACL Sunday and will go on injured reserve. Fullback Tyler Clutts filled in for Mannelly after the injury occurred.
