Rex Grossman has signed a tenuous-at-best one year deal with the Chicago Bears. No word on how incentive-laden it is but Jerry Angelo has confirmed that Rex will compete with Kyle Orton for the starting quarterback job in camp. Here's what the Angels had to say (from Sun-Times):
''This is a little bit different...I don't want to say it's tricky, but you're going to have to have a real plan in place to be fair with everybody and to make sure that you're making the right decision because once we make that decision, we're going to go forward with it and we're going to stay with it...[Grossman] understands it. He's talked to Lovie about it. I've talked to his agent about it. He's fine with it. Obviously we want to get the best player under center. Kyle did some good things at the end. I think he deserves the right to compete at the position. I know that this isn't going to be something ... I don't see this dragging out into the season. We will have a pretty good feel as we already do about the guys and what the tiebreaker is, that obviously has to be determined by the coaches."
For some more details, read here.
No contract information available yet but I'm assuming the Bears didn't have to re-finance Soldier Field to keep him around.
#2 jeff said . . .one year, 3 million.
February 23, 2008
#3 DTB said . . .john clayton reporting 2 millions in incentives if he stays the starter. so possibly one year, 5 million.
February 23, 2008
#4 Viva said . . .First!
Chalk one up for me and PO! Everything points to re-signing Rex as not only the starting QB but the LEADER of this Bears offense. Check it! And Rex gets 3 mil plus another 2 in incentives.
Grossman and the Bears
Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando
The interesting part of John Clayton's story about Rex Grossman's re-signing is the part about Grossman regaining his job as Chicago's starter.
Teams prefer to enter the regular season having committed to a starting quarterback. The position is important from a leadership standpoint. Committing to Grossman now gives Grossman a chance to reestablish his leadership. Clayton's story notes that several of the Bears' offensive players supported Grossman's return. Some players think a teammate shouldn't lose his starting job because of injury. Grossman now has one more opportunity to regain the form he showed more often than not during the Bears' Super Bowl run.
Rex Grossman + Bears -----> Playoffs
February 23, 2008
#5 Shady said . . .THIS IS GREAT NEWS!
February 23, 2008
#6 HesterFan23 said . . .Wow. I can't believe Rexy actually agreed to another contract year after what he went through last year. He must be a sadomasochist!
That being said, as a fan, I'm still not content with the QB situation on this Bears team. Kyle Orton hasn't shown the ability to put a team on his shoulders and become a difference maker. And while Rex has shown that ability at times, he's also shown a tendency towards the turnover. Granted Rexy looked better after his "sabbatical" on the bench, but that was because he limited his unacceptable turnovers and slightly improved his pocket prescience.
I think we can all expect Griese to be let go relatively soon now that Grossman is officially a Bear again. While Griese had his own share of turnovers and inconsistencies, I'll never forget 'the drive' in Philly last year and the veteran leadership he provided. That being said, I'm not all that sad to see one of our mediocre QB's hit the road.
So now that Rex is officially back, I hope Bernard Berrian will take a bit of a hometown discount and re-join his QB for an offensive redemption in '08. And Rex needs BB to come back because if he leaves, Rex will have little to no weapons to work with on offense making his situation even worse. 'Cause if we see more than a couple games of 'Bad Rex', then ou can bet he won't be around in '09.
February 23, 2008
#7 startOlsen the animal said . . .Yeah, one-year 3 million with 1.5 million guarenteed. This according to the NFL Network...
February 23, 2008
#8 The Duke said . . .This is good news. Our love-hate relationship continues. Im behind you Rex, prove em wrong baby
February 23, 2008
#9 Pyrobob said . . .I just don't get it. Could someone please explain the obsession Lovie & Angelo have with this guy? How many chances can one guy get? Why can't we just pull the trigger on a reliable vet and draft a QB to learn behind him?
February 23, 2008
#10 Phil from SATX said . . .Like who, Duke?
This is the right move for the Bears. My hopes, as I am sure like many of you others is that the BT assembles a solid OL for Rex to work behind. Wouldn't hurt to have BB resigned, but I for one am not going to get indigestion over it if they don't.Bears in the playoffs and likely return to NFC Champs in '08!
You read it here first.
February 23, 2008
#11 The Duke said . . .I'm totally psyched about this. And I think we all need to take a moment to consider what this says about Rex - the guy may have played some awful games as a Chicago Bear, but I'm not sure there has ever been a guy with more character lining up at QB.
Rex could have easily gotten a longer contract and more total dollars somewhere else. As Mike as long suggested (and Shady reiterates), you'd have to be crazy or a sadomasochist to want to stay in Chicago where the level of vitriol, derision and outright hate has been unprecedented. Yet Rex never wavered - throughout it all, he never blamed anyone, took full responsibility for his errors and took his benching more than gracefully. I thought we were sunk when we were talking about a one year deal - why would he go for that?
But here is what Rex Grossman, OUR QUARTERBACK, said:
"I love the organization,� Grossman told ChicagoBears.com late last month. “They drafted me. A lot of bad things have happened to me since I’ve been here with injuries and things, but the 2006 season was a special one. We almost completed the ultimate goal. I want to finish that. I want to finish what I started and I want to be a Bear for the rest of my life.�
You know who I want as my quarterback? Someone who has his courage, and character, and who has expressed his desire openly to be a Bear for life.
Rex Grossman, I appreciate you. Thanks for your character, thanks for staying. I hope you kick ass next year, and I believe you will, and I hope we lock you up in October for a long term deal after you come out of the box firing, and chalking up wins.
Go Rex! Go Bears! Thank you Rex and Jerry!
February 23, 2008
#12 Megan said . . .I hear ya pyrobob. I guess I just can't get the countless picks and botched snaps out of my head that Rex burned there ever since the Superbowl two years ago. I still think it's officialy a rebuilding though. How else do you explain a one-year stop gap contract for Rex? If they like him that much the one-year contract doesn't really scream "we trust our QB".
February 23, 2008
#13 Beardown1982 said . . .I feel like I am at the beginning of a huge rollercoaster at the top of the first dip. I have already "clickety-clicked" my way up to the top, waiting there tenuously..teetering, almost ready to fly downward...and I am just about to put my hands up into the air. Hold your breath... here we go!
February 23, 2008
#14 jdawg said . . .Now we just have to figure out:
A. Who will we bring in so that Rex (or Orton for that matter) actually has time to throw the football?
B. Who the hell is going to catch any of his passes? Other than our tight ends of course...February 23, 2008
#15 Megan said . . .We better be getting an awesome right guard and tackle combo, or maybe we can send Rex somewhere to put a little Steve Majors in his back foot.
February 23, 2008
#16 jdawg said . . .Steve Majors!?!? I think you mean Steve Austin, played by Lee Majors.. Jdawg-that is awesome! --If that is what you meant orI have missed yet another reference to some great football player..??
February 23, 2008
#17 jdawg said . . .yeah -- that's what I meant. I can still hear the slo mo noise, although I hated the show after the pilot.
I hate to say it, but I was hooked on Ellery Queen. Same time slot, Thursdays at 8.
February 23, 2008
#18 Megan said . . .I know, maybe they can get Dr. Scholl to make his cleats. Those wooden soles are great for the arches!
February 23, 2008
#19 jdawg said . . .Jdawg, you have officially dated yourself. I lost it for the "6-Million Dollar Man" after he sang in one episode to Jamie Sommers...
"Jamie....ohhh Jamie......" that was it for me..
I do remember liking CBS's Mystery Theater on Friday nights, Columbo, McMillian and Wife and that cowboy dude detective whose name escapes me at the moment. He was in Steven Speilbergs first movie, "Duel"February 23, 2008
#20 Megan said . . .yeah -- the cowboy guy was my favorite of those guys.
I know -- get Rex some Captain Fantastic juice!
Anybody with me on that one?
February 23, 2008
#21 jdawg said . . .Or maybe some of Popeye's spinach? Mighty Mouse's cape? Jim Carey's Mask? Or how 'bout a doggie treat that makes him float up in the air? At least he could see his receivers down-field.
He's gonna need something if we don't give him an O-Line.February 23, 2008
#22 Megan said . . .how about Robocop's legs, compete with the semi-automatic pistol.
I can see it now, Rex throws for a TD, turns to the o-line and says, "thank you for your cooperation."
February 24, 2008
#23 Polygonhell said . . .We wouldn't need an o-line then.
Then again, we could just use that football robot guy that Fox has.. if we had him on the o-line well, Rex would be fine. He did kick The Terminator's butt during the Super Bowl this year.February 24, 2008
#24 Rancid said . . .I think this is good news for both parties.
I now expect the Bears to draft a QB in the 3rd or 4th Round, and release Griese.If Rex works out he can sign a big contract next year, if he flops they'll have a rookie or Kyle waiting on the bench.
February 24, 2008
#25 Decatur Staleys #7 said . . .I now happily await the announcement of Greasemaster's release. He gives a great press conference, but he's a poor QB.
February 24, 2008
#26 Phil from SATX said . . .The Cowboy dude TV Show was named "McCloud"
Actor name was Dennis Weaver.
For any FA WR or BB it doesn't signal the Bears are committed to the QB or any QB in the near future.
So were back at square one,just a year later(depending on the Draft or FA)
February 24, 2008
#27 Megan said . . .Decatur, I don't think you have to look at it that way. BT obviously didn't feel that Rex had proven enough in his last 3 games to offer a long term contract. But that DOESN'T automatically imply he's merely a stopgap. If Rex continues to progress in 2008, I feel sure that there will be a point in the season where they make a long term decision on him. You can almost think of it as a franchise tag offer - but much cheaper. One additional year to determine whether he's the guy.
I don't think there will be any 3 game hook next season, because I don't think there's any way he's coming out of the box the same way. Turner won't be making the same mistakes as last offseason in how Rex is being coached and the game plan he is being asked to run. All parties have learned important lessons from 2007.
No, the important thing is he's the quarterback, and I'm sure there are very few on here who believe that Kyle Orton could beat out Rex in a QB competition.
There's also something else going on here with the 1 year tender - don't be that surprised if the Bears don't go after another FA, if the right one comes along. Derek Anderson is apparently not a shoo-on in to be added, Brady Quinn may be on the market, and we still don't know what's happening out in Philly. I now doubt McNabb will be the guy, but I could see them making a play for Quinn or Anderson if the right situation presents itself. Not saying I want that to happen, just saying it's possible.
But just because it's a one year offer, doesn't mean it's stopgap by definition. Rex has just bought himself one more year to earn a long term, lucrative contract.
February 24, 2008
#28 Decatur Staleys #7 said . . .Dennis Weaver... ah yes...
Not as cool as Jack Lord in Hawaii 5-O, his hair never moved.What the heck are our chances of getting Brady Quinn? Is that a serious possibility?
Gosh darn, we need an o-line. We shall have to see what unfolds. We were all pretty impressed with JA at the beginning of this season and his ability in the draft.
Generally, we all thought our O would be better.
RBs? WR? TE?... it looks scary from where I sit.February 24, 2008
#29 Decatur Staleys #7 said . . .Phil, I thought if the Bears are really ready to do something with Rex it would be in the 2-3 yr range.
But I can see where your coming from if he wins the starting job an excels at the QB spot next season.
But wasn't this season suppose to the year he was to earn that long term contract?
I feel the Bears aren't totally in bed with Rex to pan out based on a 1 yr deal.
February 24, 2008
#30 Chi-Town said . . .here Angelo adressing thing about the QB spot now an the future
http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=4401
February 24, 2008
#31 Viva said . . .Rex...do they really think he will make a huge difference?
From chicagobears.com;
While the Bears and Grossman both preferred a one-year contract, Angelo acknowledged that the short-term nature of the deal doesn’t stabilize the quarterback position.
“We haven’t solved it,� Angelo said. “With one-year deals you’re not solving anything. You’re still in the hunt so-to-speak. We certainly feel good about the people that are contending at the position, but it’s not solved yet.�
February 24, 2008
#32 Shady said . . .In Jay Mariotti's latest article he states that Rex lost the Super Bowl all by his lonesome. I guess the fact that the Colts rushed for 191 yards, passed for another 239, and controlled the clock for 38 of the 60 minutes had nothing to do with it. And if that were not bad enough, he's now mocking Rex's major in college. I mean really, why does it need to get personal?
What an asshole!
Please join me in boycotting Mariotti's articles...maybe we can lead the charge to have him replaced.
February 24, 2008
#33 Sarg said . . .I mean, Mariotti does have a point. I'm not sure about Rex's major in college, but it shouldn't matter one way or the other so it seems pretty silly that Jay would even bring that up in the first place...
But Rex DID crap the bed in XLI. The reason the fucking Colts were able to run all over the Bears was because the offense couldn't produce 1st downs and kept the Bears D on the field wayyy too long. Rex and the offense left the defense out to dry in the Superbowl and perhaps was the reason the unit had so many injuries in '07.
Can you post a link to the article Viva? I know you want a boycott but I'd like to check it out anyway.
February 24, 2008
#34 Z said . . .Rex couldn't suck more if he was a sump pump!! I can't believe fans have forgotten the Super Bowl so fast. This kid doesn't have "IT" Whatever it takes to be a QB in the NFL, Gross is void of "IT".
February 24, 2008
#35 Z said . . .Regardless of his ups and downs (and they have been pretty extreme), to take the kind of beating he has in Chicago (on and off the field) and still want to come back and try to prove himself here (leaving $ on the table, I am sure he could have gotten more than 1 yr 1.5mill guaranteed) does say a lot about his character.
At least Sexy can say "I'm all heart mofos". Hopefully he can be our ambassador of quan.
February 24, 2008
#36 Phil from SATX said . . .And I am all for cutting Grease, drafting a QB (prefer 2nd day), trading 4 Quinn or Anderson or bringing in old washed up veterans (Culpepper, and yes I grimace as I type it). Why not? Shit for this team I am in favor of losing a little room at other spots to carry 4 QB's and draft 1 every year till we find a franchise QB. Maybe when my grandkids kids are older we will have 1.
And I pray we only let BA, Briggs and BB go if we are spending that $$ on someone else to make us better. At your sober not over value amount fine JA but spend it.
And Brown or Walker could we see if they want to sign real cheap as back ups for 1 or 2 years. I know Walker seriously underperformed but Brown was in the Pro Bowl in '06 and was hurt all year. Areas of weakness can always use back ups. Shit how much do Booker or Moose want. Never hurts to ask and then say no. Not exactly positions of strength right now. Maybe Peerless Price.
February 24, 2008
#37 Speechless in the suburbs said . . .Read that Mariotti article - he's back to being a piece of crap (complete with labelling my favorite radio guy of all time, Steve Dahl, as a civic irritant - no, Mariotti, you're the civic irritant). (The only reason I'm saying BACK to a piece is because the last time we talked about him it was grudgingly approving of a few good articles in a row).
No, we are not "solved" at QB for the long term. Does anyone really think that signing Rex to a long term deal would have made fans and all comfortable that we had "solved" it just through making a commitment to Rex? OF COURSE NOT. Rex STILL has to prove himself next year, with the first step in beating out the Ortonmeister. I'm a little surprised they extended Kyle for 2 years, but I'm sure it didn't cost them much, and they're still looking for additional data/info about him and what he could turn into. (If nothing else, judging from JA, a MODEL FOR DEVELOPING FUTURE QBs).
This is a very inconsistent attitude when it comes from those (like Mariotti) who also insist that "you'd have to be fools not to believe we're in rebuilding mode." If we're in rebuilding, it's clear that finding our franchise QB would not help us next year, right? List after me (like Mariotti) - no line, no WRs, no RB, etc.etc.etc.
I disagree with all that. Both sides wanted a 1 year deal - why? Because it is going to take ONE MORE YEAR (actually more like 8 more games) to determine whether the position HAS been solidified. Very simple equation here - Rex makes it in the first half, position's solidified, he's inking long term contract, working on Bear for life. If he fails, then we still have more work to do, maybe giving snaps to the Day2 QB we picked up. But if he fails, then NEXT YEAR is the year of the search for the franchise QB, probably including all-out efforts to sign the best FA of the moment or trading up in the draft to get whichever stud is coming out next year in the first round.
This deal made sense, and I'm kind of shocked the papers aren't lauding it as such. The Bears can very easily be a playoff team, even a Super Bowl team next year.
February 24, 2008
#38 jeff said . . .Cannot believe how many people on this intelligent, informed blog can actually go so deep in denial about Grossman. If you have access to a copy, I invite you to review the Stupor Bowl performance of Rex. Can anyone here think of a worse performance by a SB QB ?
And now, because he signed a 1-year deal, we are all enthralled by "sexy rexy" once again. Like watching a train wreck in slow motion.
Oh, well, what's done is done. I will cheer on Grossman like my favorite son, but deep in my heart, I know he's going to stick the knife into our chances this year.
February 24, 2008
#39 Pissed Off said . . .speechless, that pretty much sums up my feelings for rex. i don't believe in him for a second but i hope like hell he'll win ballgames. as for the mariotti article, it's pretty incredibly driven. he has a sort of unhealthy disdain for rex and jerry, only a year removed from going to s uperbowl.
February 24, 2008
#40 Bears Fan said . . .I'm lame.
February 26, 2008
WWWWWWHHHHHHHYYYYYYYYY????????????????
February 28, 2008
Here at DaBearsBlog, you are free to kill us or the Bears as you so wish. You are not free, however, to be an asshole. So if you spew racism or ill-meaning foul language (cursing about football is just fine) or anything of that ilk, your comments ain't gonna last long, jerk.