"About a half-hour before practice Thursday at Halas Hall, reports surfaced that the Minnesota Vikings were releasing quarterback Donovan McNabb.

The Bears immediately were pegged as his next stop.

Jay Cutler is potentially sidelined for the rest of the regular season as he recovers from right thumb surgery, and Caleb Hanie struggled in his first NFL start, throwing three interceptions in a 25-20 loss to the Oakland Raiders.

During an appearance on ESPN's ''SportsCenter,'' McNabb never was specifically asked about the Bears or any other team. But he suggested a team with "veteran players who know how to win" would be appealing.

The 7-4 Bears fit that description. That they play their home games in his hometown can't be discounted.

Ultimately, though, the decision isn't McNabb's."