Jay Cutler is officially the man in Chicago for many years to come. The Bears signed the quarterback to a seven-year extension making him a franchise player until 2020. So where does that leave 2013 breakout star, Josh McCown? The backup quarterback had himself a year when he stepped in for the injured Cutler and now has plenty of options regarding his future.
McCown came to the Bears on a one-year deal and the team did not realize just how valuable he was. Cutler once again was unable to play a full season, leaving the backup to fin in for several games. He ended with the best season of his 11-year career. He went 3-2 as a starter, throwing for 1,829 passing yards and 13 touchdowns while only recording one interception. He earned Offensive Player of the Week honors as a 348-yard passing game against the Dallas Cowboys. He impressed the Bears so much that the team wants him back for much longer.
"I know the guys in the locker room are really hoping to have No. 12 back next year," Cutler said, via the Chicago Sun Times.
Could that be because Cutler never seems to play a full season? McCown has plenty of options. There has even been talk that he might retire. Sports Illustrated first reported that the backup was considering calling it a career to spend more time with his family. However, general manager Phil Emery is hoping the quarterback considers a return to the Bears.
"Love to have Josh back," Emery said. "I've expressed that to him. Josh, through his play, has earned the right to have choices. And he'll have a lot of them. He does know that he has a home here and we'll do everything that we can to make it work, if he decides he still wants to play here. Hey, I'm very respectful of Josh. He's a tremendous human being. He did a great job for the Chicago Bears. He deserves to have those choices and he deserves the space and room to make them."
The Bears own negotiating rights to McCown for the next two months. ESPN's Vaughn McClure is reporting that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers might be interested in the backup after former Chicago coach Lovie Smith was hired. McCown and Smith have plenty of good history together, leaving many to believe he might bring in the veteran to help Mike Glennon in his second year.
Glennon had a strong rookie season and appears to be the guy going forward for the Buccaneers, but Smith might want some options and bringing in a player he is familiar with feels like the best option.
