Backup QB Caleb Hanie set to be released by Chicago Bears - NFL News
Chicago Bears backup quarterback, Caleb Hanie’s, career with the franchise is set to end after sources close to the talks revealed that Chicago are prepared to cut the 26-year-old.
The backup quarterback failed to deliver when given the opportunity to show his talents last season after the injury to regular quarterback Jay Cutler and his poor performances cost Chicago a shot at the playoffs.
Hanie will now enter free agency starting on March 13th but it seems unlikely that many franchises will be keen on taking him.
Bears coach Lovie Smith had last month hinted at ending Hanie’s time with the franchise.
"Each year you learn something. We thought we had a better plan at quarterback. I knew how valuable Jay was to us and that won't change, but we do need to get ourselves in a better position at that backup quarterback position.”
Adding further Smith continued.
"There are a lot of options out there. This is an attractive place for a quarterback, and we're going to look at people."
With Jay Cutler’s season ending prematurely due to a broken thumb in week 11 after the game against San Diego Chargers, Hanie was given the role of starting quarterback with Chicago signing veteran Josh McCown to provide backup.
The Bears were at 7-3 in the season and poised to reach the playoff rounds but the quarterbacks all four starts resulted in big losses that completely ruined their chances of reaching the playoffs.
Hanie threw just three touchdown passes while racking up only 613 yards. He was also intercepted nine times and was replaced by McCown in week 16.
McCown started Chicago’s last two games of the season against National Football Conference (NFC) north division rivals Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings.
The veteran put in better performances and ended 1-1 but it was too late to save Chicago’s season.
The Bears ended up with an 8-8 record and missed out on the playoffs for another season. The failure resulted in the firing of general manager Jerry Angelo who was subsequently replaced by Phil Emery.
Chicago could look to bring in quarterback Kyle Orton to Soldier Field as backup. Orton was in line to join the Bears after Cutler’s injury but Kansas City Chiefs claimed him off the waivers.
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