It won’t be the biggest NFL news out of Chicago today, but the Bears have made a move besides agreeing to trade Brandon Marshall to the Jets. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter), the club also reached a deal to re-sign quarterback Jimmy Clausen. Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times confirms the move, adding that it’s a one-year contract for Clausen.
Clausen, 27, served primarily as the Bears’ backup signal-caller last season, getting a start in Week 17 when Marc Trestman wanted to see someone besides Jay Cutler lead the offense. In his first start since 2010, Clausen completed 23 of 39 passes for 181 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception.
Returning to the Bears for the 2015 season means Clausen will almost certainly continue to back up Cutler, but new head coach John Fox and GM Ryan Pace were very noncommittal when discussing Cutler at the combine in Indianapolis last month. While a trade of Cutler is unlikely, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com confirmed yesterday that teams around the league know the veteran quarterback is available.
Of course, regardless of what happens with Cutler, Clausen isn’t expected to be any sort of long-term answer for the Bears. I expect his new deal won’t be worth much more than the minimum.