While the Chicago Bears remain unsure about the future of quarterback Jay Cutler under center, they are keeping backup quarterback Jimmy Clausen with the team.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Bears have re-signed Clausen. The team originally signed Clausen to a one-year deal last season to be Cutler’s backup after he spent four previous seasons with the Carolina Panthers. Appearing in just four games and starting one, Clausen threw for 223 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.
Clausen worked his way up to second string after beating out David Fales and Jordan Palmer. He then beat out Cutler, so to speak, at the tail end of the 2014 season when the Bears announced him as the starter for Week 16.
Clausen also has ties to new Bears coach John Fox, who was with the Panthers when they selected him in the second round of the 2010 draft.
It remains to be seen what impact this move might have on the future of Cutler, who the team can cut or trade by March 12 prior to his $10 million guaranteed kicks in. That said, let’s all hope Chicago doesn’t view the former Notre Dame standout as a starter in the NFL.
Photo: USA Today