Chicago Bears Trade Rumors

Bears hire Tim Holt as offensive line coach
February 9
Chicago Tribune
 
"Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith filled out his coaching staff Wednesday with the hiring of Tim Holt as offensive line coach. Holt comes to the Bears after spending the last three seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was an assistant offensive line coach for the Bucs last season under offensive coordinator Greg Olson, whom the Bears first tried to hire as their quarterbacks coach/passing game coordinator. Holt was an offensive assistant in 2010 and a coaching intern in 2009."
Bears RB Matt Forte eager to meet GM Phil Emery, wants 'to remain in Chicago'
February 3
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Refreshed and inspired after his first trip to the Pro Bowl, Bears running back Matt Forte shined in the media spotlight days before Super Bowl XLVI, just blocks from Lucas Oil Stadium. He appeared on three-time Pro Bowl running back Maurice Jones-Drew's Sirius NFL Radio show, and he exchanged pleasantries with four-time All-Pro receiver Larry Fitzgerald Jr. "Man, I'm campaigning for you," Fitzgerald told Forte. In 2011, with a base salary of $550,000, Forte was among the most underpaid players in the NFL, a point reinforced by Vizio naming him a finalist for its annual "Top Value Performer" award."
Matt Forte decision looms for Bears
January 31
ESPN.com
 
"New Chicago Bears general manager Phil Emery has plenty of issues to address as he gets to work at Halas Hall. With three weeks to decide whether to apply the franchise tag on Pro Bowl running back Matt Forte, Emery's boss said Tuesday that the Bears won't let the Pro Bowl running back reach free agency. "We'd like to (work out a long-term deal with Forte)," Bears president and CEO Ted Phillips said on "The Waddle & Silvy Show" on ESPN 1000. "But as Phil pointed out we obviously will at least consider placing the franchise tag on him. We don't have any intention of letting Matt hit the open market. We'll sit down with him privately, Phil will, and discuss what the plans are prior to the"
Previous experience with Bears could give Phil Emery a leg up
January 28
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Kansas City Chiefs director of college scouting Phil Emery remains the favorite to be named the Bears' general manager after his second interview with the team Friday at Halas Hall. The Bears will name either Emery or New England Patriots director of pro personnel Jason Licht to succeed Jerry Angelo, who was fired by team president Ted Phillips last month. Licht had his second interview with the Bears on Thursday. No timetable is set, but the Bears ''don't expect a decision to take too long,'' a Halas Hall source close to the hiring process said Friday night. Emery, 53, is considered the front-runner because of his familiarity with the Bears and his background in college scouting. Emery's"
Bears conclude GM interviews; decision likely next week
January 28
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Bears concluded their general manager interviews Friday and a new GM is expected to be in place in a matter of days. Chiefs director of college scouting Phil Emery visited Halas Hall for his second go-round with upper management and then was scheduled to leave town. Emery and Patriots director of pro personnel Jason Licht are the two finalists for the job. Licht had a second interview Thursday. Outsiders have portrayed Emery as the favorite. It may or may not be significant that he was the final candidate to visit this week, and the final candidate to visit last week in the first wave of interviews."
Phil Emery seen as favorite for Bears' GM job
January 21
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The Bears wrapped up their fifth interview in five days Friday with general- manager candidates. And they felt strongly enough about the pool that they won't expand it. So Jason Licht of the New England Patriots, Jimmy Raye of the San Diego Chargers, Marc Ross of the New York Giants, Tim Ruskell of the Bears or Phil Emery of the Kansas City Chiefs will replace Jerry Angelo. If the hunches of three league sources are correct, Emery is the leader in the clubhouse. Emery is the Chiefs' college scouting director, and he served in the same capacity under Ruskell in Atlanta. Before that, Emery worked as an area scout for the Bears from 1998 to 2004. He's considered a "grinder," a college scout"
Expect Bears GM search to pick up steam in coming week
January 15
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Two days after the Bears' 2011 season ended, team president Ted Phillips announced why he relieved general manager Jerry Angelo of his duties and outlined the process of finding a new GM. At one point, Phillips was asked whether he would ''break the bank'' for a candidate. Initially flustered, Phillips responded: ''We're going to find the right guy, and we'll do what it takes.'' Phil Emery of the Kansas City Chiefs, Jason Licht of the New England Patriots, Jimmy Raye of the San Diego Chargers and Marc Ross of the New York Giants are scheduled to be interviewed for the vacancy. Interim GM Tim Ruskell, the Bears' director of player personnel in 2011, also will be interviewed, and other"
With Fisher out, Bears' Toub in the mix for Dolphins job
January 15
Chicago Tribune
 
"When Jeff Fisher took the Rams' job on Friday, it meant Bears special teams coordinator Dave Toub is still alive in his bid to become the head coach of the Dolphins. Toub interviewed for the job last week and is one of a handful of candidates now in the picture for the Dolphins, who were aiming to land the former Titans coach Fisher. The Dolphins also have interviewed Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin, interim head coach Todd Bowles and Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer. NFL.com reported Saturday that Zimmer could be lined up for a second interview with the Dolphins. Miami also might want to talk to Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy."
Bears have 4 GM interviews lined up
January 12
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Bears are looking for a general manager with an eye for talent evaluation and the four candidates they have scheduled for interviews all have a background in college scouting. Eight days after general manager Jerry Angelo was fired, the club announced Chiefs college scouting director Phil Emery, Patriots director of pro personnel Jason Licht, Chargers director of player personnel Jimmy Raye III and Giants college scouting director Marc Ross will interview for the position."
GM plans, week 2: Bears in no hurry
January 9
CSN Chicago
 
"The search for a successor to general manager Jerry Angelo moves into its second week, with the Bears yet to formally interview anyone. It would be a mistake, however, to equate lack of action with lack of a plan. One perspective on what the Bears are doing, and not doing, is a case of them having Plan B in place and methodically going about Plan A. Consider: Stereotyping and all kidding aside, the Bears have typically made major moves quickly, if not always the right moves. They have consistently gone after their biggest personnel targets – Erik Kramer, Bryan Cox, Mushin Muhammad, Julius Peppers, even the trade for Jay Cutler, even Chester Taylor – aggressively and fast. And when"
Bears quiet Saturday, but could they look at Ruskell for GM?
January 8
Chicago Tribune
 
"All was quiet Saturday on the Bears' general manager search, and no interviews are scheduled for Sunday. The team did continue to research a pool of candidates. Bears president Ted Phillips is spearheading the search, and is being assisted by director of football administration Cliff Stein and others. The Bears are not moving with any urgency in the process, which is in direct contrast to the Raiders, who already have hired a candidate the Bears wanted to interview in Reggie McKenzie, and the Colts, who plan on having seven general manager interviews complete by the end of the day Monday. Meanwhile, multiple sources said there is an internal movement to influence Phillips and team"
Two GM candidates gone, but Bears still have plenty to choose from
January 7
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Two high-profile general-manager candidates are off the market, but a strong pool remains for vacancies with the Bears, Indianapolis Colts and St. Louis Rams. The Oakland Raiders announced they had reached an agreement with Green Bay Packers pro personnel director Reggie McKenzie to become their GM. Meanwhile, the Baltimore Ravens announced player personnel director Eric DeCosta will remain with the team and not take any interviews, including one requested by the Bears. DeCosta was the first person the Bears asked permission to speak with, but he was not — despite some reports — the favorite to land their GM job. The Rams and Colts also had requested to speak with DeCosta. The Bears"
DeCosta turns down Bears' overture
January 7
Chicago Tribune
 
"Finding a general manager is proving a little more complicated for the Bears than finding an offensive coordinator was. The only known candidate the Bears have attempted to interview, Ravens personnel director Eric DeCosta, informed the Bears on Friday he is staying in Baltimore. The Colts and Rams also were pursuing DeCosta for their vacant general manager openings. The Bears also were known to have a strong interest in Reggie McKenzie, who left the Packers to become the Raiders general manager late Thursday. So the Bears are back to the drawing board, continuing to research a large pool of candidates that is believed to include Packers director of college scouting John Dorsey, Eagles"
Bears ask to interview Ravens exec
January 6
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Bears' general manager search intensified Thursday as the team honed in on its leading candidates. At the front of the line is Ravens personnel director Eric DeCosta. The Bears asked the Ravens on Thursday for permission to interview him, a source told the Tribune. He is the only candidate the Bears are believed to have asked for permission to interview. By league rules, the Ravens cannot deny the Bears permission to interview DeCosta because the Bears would be offering him a clear promotion with complete personnel control. But the Ravens can delay the Bears from talking with him because they are in the playoffs."
Fisher has eyes for Bears, but Rams still most likely desination
January 3
NFL.com
 
"Bill Cowher and Jon Gruden were the headline candidates fueling the coaching market rumor mill throughout the fall. But Jeff Fisher is the one holding all the cards when it counts. The former Titans coach is this offseason's power broker while Cowher and Gruden watch from the sideline. Miami already has interviewed Fisher, who was spotted at the Buccaneers team hotel over the weekend. Had Bill Polian survived in Indianapolis, and Jim Caldwell had not, it's a near certainty that Fisher would have been near the top of that list as well. San Diego had also been as likely a landing spot as any until Dean Spanos decided to keep Norv Turner. But here is all you need to know about Fisher's likely"
Bears OC Martz leaves Chicago after two seasons
January 3
NFL.com
 
"Mike Martz resigned from his position as Chicago Bears offensive coordinator on Tuesday, according to a league source. The source said Martz walked into Bears coach Lovie Smith's office Tuesday morning and announced that he did not intend to return to the team because of philosophical differences over how the Bears would run their offense. There had been rampant speculation as the season dragged on that Martz could be done in Chicago. Smith was noncommittal when asked Monday during his end-of-year news conference if Martz will return next season."
A perfect offseason for Forte would include long-term deal
January 3
Chicago Tribune
 
"As Matt Forte stuffed belongings into a plastic bag at his Halas Hall locker Monday morning, it was with the knowledge he'll be back. Not all of his teammates could leave with the same security. The question for Forte, who will be an unrestricted free agent, is if he gets a long-term contract or general manager Jerry Angelo places the franchise tag on him. There isn't an Option C. The Bears broke off talks with Forte before the regular season and despite sporadic communication with agent Adisa Bakari, the sides never approached common ground during the year. The Bears seem to be in a position where they will be unlikely to raise their offer, while he says his value is enhanced after his"
Angelo out as Bears GM; Lovie Smith to remain
January 3
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Chicago Bears won four division titles and reached a Super Bowl in 11 seasons under Jerry Angelo, but ultimately a track record for poor drafts will mark his legacy. The Bears sent out an internal email Tuesday morning announcing that Angelo, who had a contract through 2013, is no longer with the organization. The decision came two days after the Bears finished 8-8, the fourth time in five seasons the franchise has not reached the playoffs. The Bears announced a 4 p.m. news conference and in it they said team president Ted Phillips fired Angelo, eliminating speculation whether or not he retired. The status of Lovie Smith already has been addressed. According to the team's website,"
Williams' future up in air
January 2
Chicago Tribune
 
"His acceleration isn't the same. He can't jump nearly as high as he did in his days with the Lions. But 30-year-old Roy Williams is far from ready to hang up his cleats. "How many years do I have left in me? Who knows,'' Williams said. "Losing takes a toll on you, though. When you're winning, you can play a lot longer.'' Williams looked somewhat rejuvenated during Sunday's 17-13 season-ending victory over the Vikings. He caught four passes for 60 yards, including a 22-yard touchdown reception from Josh McCown, his second score of the season. Including last week's performance against the Packers in Green Bay, Williams ended the season with 10 catches for 141 yards in his final two games."
Bears could consider Josh McCown as backup of future
December 28
National Football Post
 
"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"
Hester questionable but don't count him out
December 24
Chicago Tribune
 
"The last time the Bears held out Devin Hester for an entire week of practice, he responded on game day with an 82-yard punt return for a touchdown. Facing Aaron Rodgers and the Packers on Sunday night at Lambeau Field, the Bears could use a Hester score or two considering their offensive woes. The Packers are averaging 40.2 points per game at home and the Bears have scored 47 points in the four games they have been without starting quarterback Jay Cutler. Hester is questionable on the injury report and coach Lovie Smith painted a bleak picture. "It's not looking real good," he said."
Bears' Josh McCown in line to start against Packers
December 21
Pro Football Talk
 
"Lovie Smith wouldn't reveal his starting quarterback at Monday's press conference. When that happens, it almost always means that a change is coming. And that's what appears to be on the way. Jeff Dickerson of ESPNChicago.com writes that Josh McCown will get the first crack at winning the starting job in practice this week."
Report: Sam Hurd Dealt Drugs To "Double Digit" List Of NFL Players
December 16
SI.com
 
"Bears wide receiver Sam Hurd, who was arrested today on felony drug charges, reportedly provided drugs to other NFL players, according to CBS Chicago. Police claim to have a list of the NFL players Hurd distributed to and the list is in "double digits." CBS reports that Hurd was a top drug dealer in the Chicago area. Hurd had been trying to orchestrate a distribution deal with an undercover agent who had been posing as a North Texas area supplier."
Longtime Bears GM Angelo could be on way out of Chicago
December 11
NFL.com
 
"Longtime Chicago Bears general manager Jerry Angelo could retire this offseason based at least in part on how the season ends, multiple general managers and executives from other teams have told me at various times this season. Last year Angelo brought in a close associate, Tim Ruskell, to join him in the front office. Several executives I spoke to believe if Angelo leaves that Ruskell would get an opportunity to take over the GM role."
Mike Martz says he plans to return next season
December 8
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Mike Martz said he's embarrassed about reports that he won't return as the Bears' offensive coordinator. On Sunday, ESPN reported that Martz "is not expected to return after his contract expires" and that college jobs could "be in play." Shortly thereafter, the Sun-Times reported that it was "highly unlikely" that Martz would return in 2012, citing an NFL source, and that he considered his departure a foregone conclusion since he was offered a $1 million extension — the same salary as this season. "I'm bothered by that," Martz said in his first public comments since those reports. "Obviously, I plan on being back here and want to be here. I'm just going to assume it's going to work out."
Favre denies return report; Bears not interested
December 7
CBSSports.com
 
"Perhaps there will come a time when an injury to an NFL starting quarterback won't reflexively lead to media inquiries about whether Brett Favre would be interested in the job. Sadly, we are not yet at that point. Never mind that Favre is 42 years old and has stated on several occasions going back to this summer that he ain't coming back. (UPDATE: Favre released a statement Tuesday night. "In spite of reports about playing with various teams, I'm enjoying retirement with my family and have no plans to play football," he said.) Of course, Favre brought this on himself with the annual "I'm not really retiring" press conferences. And now it's his burden to bear for the rest of his days. It"
Matt Forte uncertain when he will return
December 7
Chicago Tribune
 
"Matt Forte would not offer a timetable Tuesday night for his return to the playing field. The Bears running back also said he has no regrets about not accepting the Bears' best contract extension offer early in the season despite suffering a sprained right knee ligament Sunday that could put him out for the season. "I feel all right. I have good range of motion," Forte said during a promotional appearance at Water Tower Place. "I'm here, standing up and walking around, so obviously that's good. MCLs usually don't take a whole lot of time to get back. But it does vary from two to as long as six weeks. I don't want to make any predictions because I really don't know. I got a (platelet rich"
Source: Bears don't want Brett Favre
December 6
ESPN.com
 
"It looks like fans won't have to get their brains around former Packers great Brett Favre playing for Da Bears. A high-ranking Bears source told ESPN's Ed Werder on Tuesday that the team has no interest in signing the 42-year-old quarterback. ESPNChicago.com reported on Monday that Favre would listen if the Bears made a pitch. The team lost Jay Cutler to a broken hand and has lost the last two games with Caleb Hanie running the show. The Bears hadn't contacted Favre, who has spent a good portion of his recent days hunting, and it wasn't clear whether the Bears could even lure Favre out of retirement. The source told ESPNChicago.com Favre would listen, but his answer could be that he'll"
Bears will now consider McNabb
December 5
CSN Chicago
 
"The Bears did not make a play for veteran Donovan McNabb last week and did not discuss possibilities even after McNabb became an unrestricted free agent. But with Caleb Hanie turning in his worst performance as a starter or backup, and Josh McCown not deemed ready enough after more than a week of orientation with the offense, sources told CSNChicago.com that the Bears will be in conversations Monday about bringing the longtime standout with Philadelphia in as Hanie's backup. Conversations do not equate to "negotiations" or serious talks, but McCown has not played his way past rookie Nathan Enderle after 10 days and has not established a comfort level with coaches, receivers or the system"
Source: Brett Favre would talk to Bears
December 5
ESPN.com
 
"The Chicago Bears' dire situation at quarterback hasn't pointed the club in the direction of future Hall of Famer Brett Favre, but a source familiar with the quarterback said Favre would listen if the Bears made a pitch. The Bears haven't contacted the 42-year-old Favre, who has spent a good portion of his recent days hunting, and it's highly doubtful the team is interested. Even if the sides eventually touch base, it's unclear whether the Bears could lure Favre out of retirement. The source said Favre would listen, but his answer could be that he'll stay retired. The source also said Favre has been working out and staying in shape. A call to Bears general manager Jerry Angelo was not"
Source says Mike Martz to leave Bears after season
December 5
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"It's highly unlikely offensive coordinator Mike Martz will return to the Bears in 2012, an NFL source said. Martz has considered his departure from the Bears when his contract expires after this season a foregone conclusion because management offered him only a one-year extension after the team reached the NFC Championship Game last season. Martz is making $1 million per year, which is below the median for NFL offensive coordinators. Although it's possible the Bears could offer him a lucrative multiyear extension after this season, that scenario is considered unlikely, the source said."
RB Forte sprains MCL in right knee
December 5
Chicago Tribune
 
"As Matt Forte hobbled out of Soldier Field on Sunday alongside his wife, Danielle, his face remained expressionless. It was hard to gauge how much pain the running back felt in his sprained right knee, but the Bears are certain to ache if their top offensive weapon is out for a significant amount of time, particularly with quarterback Jay Cutler already sidelined after thumb surgery. "It's not a good feeling when you see your star tailback go down with a knee injury, but it's part of the game," coach Lovie Smith said. "We'll just keep our fingers crossed, and hopefully it's not that serious.""
Matt Forte believed to have an MCL sprain
December 4
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Bears running back Matt Forte is believed to have suffered an MCL sprain in his right knee, according to a league source. Forte, though, will require further testing for he and the Bears to have a full handle on the severity of his knee injury. He suffered the injury in the first quarter, when Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson drilled him in the right knee. He was tended to on the field, and he walked off under his own power, with a slight limp."
Donovan McNabb happy he went unclaimed
December 4
ESPN.com
 
"Donovan McNabb sent a text Friday that said he was happy he went unclaimed on waivers: It leaves him free to sign where he wants. His agent, Fletcher Smith, said Saturday he has been talking with "a couple of teams" this weekend, but no team is prepared to make a move right now. In recent weeks, the NFL has witnessed how quickly the quarterback landscape can change, with the Houston Texans, Kansas City Chiefs and Chicago Bears all losing their starting quarterbacks. But if no team signs McNabb in the final four weeks of the season, it also would be fair to wonder whether he has played his last down in the NFL."
No Donovan McNabb for Lovie Smith, who likes what Bears have at QB
December 3
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Timing is everything. It looks as if Donovan McNabb's availability came too late for the Bears. They would have loved to have drafted the former Mount Carmel star in 1999 and might have acquired him in 2009 when it appeared McNabb was on the outs in Philadelphia. But now that McNabb is a free agent after going unclaimed on waivers Friday, the Bears' aren't interested. At least coach Lovie Smith isn't. ''I like our quarterbacks we have,'' Smith said when asked Friday if he had any interest in McNabb, who was waived by the Vikings on Thursday. ''We like them. We're anxious to play Kansas City this week.'' Caleb Hanie will start against the Chiefs on Sunday at Soldier Field. Rookie Nathan"
Bears' Bennett signs 4-year extension worth $18 million
December 3
Chicago Tribune
 
"When Bears receiver Earl Bennett considered wearing orange cleats for a third consecutive week, he mentioned how money wasn't an issue despite the $15,000 worth of fines he had incurred. Bennett apparently knew his big payday was coming. The fourth-year player cashed in Friday, signing a four-year, $18 million extension with $9 million guaranteed, including a $6 million signing bonus, a league source confirmed. The Bears now have their most polished receiver locked up through 2015. "Good to see a guy like him get rewarded for his time here," quarterback Caleb Hanie said of Bennett. "The best has yet to come for him, though." Bennett said his agent, C.J. Laboy, and the Bears had been"
McNabb goes unclaimed on waivers
December 3
CSN Philly
 
"On Thursday, the Vikings waived Donovan McNabb. On Friday, McNabb still doesn't have a home. According to NFL.com, the 35-year-old former Eagles quarterback was not claimed by any of the other 31 teams in the NFL and is now an unrestricted free agent. Chicago is McNabb's hometown but they didn't pick up McNabb even though they lost their franchise quarterback, Jay Culter, to injury. Houston was another team that was thought to perhaps want McNabb. They passed, too. Chicago decided it's better off with Caleb Hanie. Houston decided it's better off with T.J. Yates. Not a good day for the former Eagles franchise quarterback. McNabb started the first six games of the Vikings' season and led the"
Jay Cutler a long shot to return in regular season
December 1
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"An old saying — absence makes the heart grow fonder — seemed appropriate after the Bears' 25-20 loss Sunday in Oakland. Suddenly, for even the most critical Bears fans, one of Chicago's most important thumbs — neighboring in the stratosphere with Sun-Times movie critic Roger Ebert's — can't heal soon enough after backup Caleb Hanie tossed three interceptions against the Raiders. But even Jay Cutler, the owner of that surgically repaired right thumb, acknowledged that any hope of returning for the regular season is a long shot, at best."
Hanie wants short learning curve
November 30
Chicago Tribune
 
"As Caleb Hanie dissected the loss to the Raiders on Monday, he came to one conclusion: Better days are ahead. But the Bears quarterback admitted some of the Raiders' defensive looks Sunday took him by surprise. "You don't want to have to learn these things when your team's on a winning streak and you're trying to make a playoff push," Hanie said Tuesday. "I knew there was going to be a learning curve; I just hope it's very short.''"
Bears may face ex-teammate Orton on Sunday
November 29
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Chiefs will work to get Kyle Orton up to speed to start in Sunday's game at Soldier Field a little more than a week after they claimed him off waivers before the Bears could. Tyler Palko replaced Matt Cassel when he was lost for the season with a broken hand, and he committed four turnovers in a 13-9 loss to the Steelers on Sunday night at Arrowhead Stadium. "We'll always play who gives us the best chance to win," said Chiefs coach Todd Haley, who was the Bears' wide receivers coach from 2001 to 2003."
2012 franchise tag figures will be down across the board
November 27
NFL.com
 
"While little was made of it at the time, the change in calculating procedures for franchise tags could have major implications on several negotiations this offseason, including those with Saints quarterback Drew Brees and Bears running back Matt Forte. The current collective bargaining agreement between the league and the NFL Players Association includes a new formula for the franchise tag, and league sources have said franchise tags will be considerably lower this season as part of the new CBA. League sources have provided figures that will be extremely close to what those salary totals look like, by position, when teams being placing those tags on players in February. In the past a"
Hester misses practice with shin injury
November 25
Chicago Tribune
 
"Chicago Bears receiver/kick returner Devin Hester was added to the injury report Thursday with a shin injury and did not participate in practice. Coach Lovie Smith didn't seem to be overly concerned about Hester's latest injury and didn't rule Hester out for Sunday's game against the Oakland Raiders. Hester has been limited by a sprain ankle the last few weeks."
Hanie assumes command
November 24
Chicago Tribune
 
"If you were worried there could be rocky ground for Caleb Hanie and offensive coordinator Mike Martz to cover as the backup quarterback takes over in the thick of a playoff race, the two did their best to put even the most skeptical observers at ease. What a difference 10 months makes. Last season the Bears turned to Todd Collins in the third quarter of the NFC championship game loss to the Packers. Hanie entered in the fourth quarter, rallying the offense to two touchdowns before he threw an interception in the end zone in the closing minute after reaching the Packers' 29-yard line. Hanie practiced with the first-team offense Wednesday for the first time in preparation for Sunday's game"
Rookie Enderle likely Hanie backup vs. Raiders
November 24
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Chicago Bears don't have to make a decision on their backup quarterback until 90 minutes before Sunday's game at Oakland, but right now all signs point to rookie fifth-round pick Nathan Enderle handling that role against the Raiders. Enderle has been active for just one game this season but will get the call unless the Bears deem newcomer Josh McCown can handle the role with just two days of preparation. Clearly, that's why McCown was signed Wednesday afternoon."
Bone-mending advances could speed Cutler's healing
November 23
Chicago Tribune
 
"Jay Cutler's fractured right thumb has left Bears fans feverishly computing competing timelines: how long it will take the quarterback to heal versus the number of weeks left in the season. Over the last several decades, doctors and scientists have built an arsenal of cutting-edge tools to help speed recovery time, which could allow a professional quarterback to use his throwing hand just weeks after breaking a thumb. Cutler suffered a Bennett's fracture, a break in the metacarpal bone where the thumb meets the wrist, according to an NFL source. He is scheduled to undergo surgery Wednesday morning in Vail, Colo., according to sources."
Denver Broncos cut QB Kyle Orton; Chicago Bears might be next
November 22
Denver Post
 
"The Broncos waived quarterback Kyle Orton, team executive vice president John Elway announced Tuesday, ending his run with the team. Orton and his agent David Dunn had started talking to Broncos officials about the move after it was learned Chicago Bears' quarterback Jay Cutler suffered a broken thumb on his right passing hand Sunday that will likely sideline him for the rest of the season. Orton has declined to comment. Broncos coach John Fox said in a statement: "This was the right decision for our football team. We feel good about our quarterback group, and this gives Kyle an opportunity to help another team and showcase his talents.""
So long, snapper: Bears' Pat Mannelly out for season
November 22
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Long snapper Pat Mannelly was typically overshadowed Monday. While Jay Cutler's broken thumb dominated coach Lovie Smith's news conference at Halas Hall, Mannelly was put on injured reserve and is out for the season after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during the Bears' 31-20 victory Sunday over the Chargers at Soldier Field. Fullback Tyler Clutts replaced Mannelly and snapped on three extra points and a fake punt without any problems. But the Bears want a specialist to do the job full-time. The Bears are bringing in Jake Laptad, a rookie defensive end from Kansas who long-snapped for them in the preseason and could sign a contract Tuesday."
Bears' Smith: 'Don't feel sorry for us'
November 22
Chicago Tribune
 
"Lovie Smith walked into the crowded Halas Hall media room promptly at noon Monday and marveled at the crowd that had gathered. The Bears coach was emphatic the big turnout wasn't for a funeral after the club acknowledged Jay Cutler will soon undergo surgery on his right thumb after it was fractured in the fourth quarter of Sunday's 31-20 victory over the Chargers at Soldier Field. It was the fifth consecutive win for the Bears, and improved them to 7-3. They're in the thick of the NFC wild-card race, something Smith figures his team will be very much a part of with backup Caleb Hanie replacing Cutler for the time being. With three more wins, the Bears would likely reach the postseason."
Bears 'D' not at best but delivers when needed
November 21
Chicago Tribune
 
"The mood was rather subdued in the Bears locker room, at least on the defensive side. A fifth straight win and 31-20 triumph over the Chargers seemed like plenty reason to celebrate. Yet it was easy to tell a majority of players weren't exactly satisfied. Maybe they knew something about Jay Cutler's broken right thumb. Or maybe they were just disappointed with some of the defensive lapses. "It was a win," Brian Urlacher said. "I don't give a (crap) about anything else. We didn't play the way we wanted to, but we won. That's all I care about.""