Bears could consider Josh McCown as backup of future

When the Chicago Bears went in a tailspin as Jay Cutler was sidelined with a fractured right thumb, it became apparent a backup quarterback would be on the team’s offseason shopping list.

Caleb Hanie was 0-4 as a starter in Cutler’s place and had a 41.6 passer rating. Turns out, maybe the backup of the future is in place now. The team isn’t going to rush to judgment with Josh McCown, but the 32-year-old journeyman did enough in Sunday’s 35-21 loss to the Green Bay Packers to be a part of an offseason conversation.

The Bears gained a season-high 441 yards and McCown completed 19 of 28 passes for 242 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. He also rushed for 38 yards. It was far from perfect, but McCown had poise in the pocket and that is what was missing with Hanie.

“I think everything you do, you have to look at the performance and the performance Josh put in last night was impressive,” Bears coach Lovie Smith said. “That’s why we can get so much done this week. We want to see him have an opportunity to come back and play again this coming week. You normally can find a spot for a player that played the way he played last night.”

McCown signed a one-year contract when he joined the team last week.

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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune

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