JaMarcus Russell has been working to make a comeback into the NFL. The quarterback that fell from grace during his time with the Oakland Raiders is attempting to prove to teams why he was once a No. 1 overall draft pick. Those times seem forever ago as the Russell people have come to know today is out of shape and most associated with the word "bust". However, the Chicago Bears are willing to give Russell a chance at redemption as they host the quarterback for a tryout on Friday.
Russell will join three other quarterbacks auditioning for the role of backup to Jay Cutler. Trent Edwards and Jordan Palmer will also be present at the tryout. It is difficult to tell whether or not the Bears have a real serious interest in signing another quarterback. They currently carry three on the roster with Cutler, Matt Blanchard and Josh McCown. It appears the tryout is more of offseason due diligence. Having four on the roster going into training camp would set Chicago up just in case there is an injury at some point.
Russell has garnered some brief interest from teams, but a tryout is the closest he has comeback to entering back into the NFL. Russell's attempt to rise from the ashes has been well documented. He recently lost 50 pounds in an effort to get back into football shape. He is reportedly down to 265 pounds which was his playing weight while at LSU.
Russell has often been thought as one of the biggest draft busts in recent history. He came out of LSU with a large amount of NFL talent and was drafted No. 1 overall back in 2007. However, three mediocre years with the Oakland Raiders led to him being released and never heard from, until now.
Russell has been working with veteran Jeff Garcia during the year. Garcia said if Russell had a chance to get back into the NFL it could be with either the Bears or the Cardinals. He was right about one team. Reports surfaced that the Baltimore Ravens could possibly be interested in Russell as well. They are searching for another quarterback to place behind Joe Flacco. While nothing serious has come from it, if reports are good from Russell's tryout then they might call his number.
As mandatory minicamps prepare to start up, all signs are pointing to Russell at least getting on a roster as a backup. The question remains if he will stay on that roster come Week 1 of the 2013 season.