The Chicago Bears are coming into training camp looking strong this offseason and the backup for Jay Cutler will be an interesting battle, as Jimmy Clausen and David Fales have the chance to back him up and the offense should continue being a strength with Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery the best fantasy football keepers for 2014 along with Matt Forte and now Ka'Deem Carey is also in the mix after being drafted by Marc Trestman this spring.
Clausen is a veteran and has a chance to be the backup or a third strong option, while Fales comes in as a sixth round draft pick and Trestman has raved about his arm and his awareness on the field. According to ESPN.com, GM Phil Emery is looking to add depth and strength to all positions on the roster and that is one reason why Clausen has a chance to stick around. Clausen signed with the team last week and while no contract figures were released, it gives Emery a chance to have Fales compete with Clausen and also offers more protection for head coach Marc Trestman if Cutler comes down with an injury.
The Bears now have Cutler, Clausen, Fales, Jordan Palmer and Jerrod Johnson heading into the summer at the QB position and while Clausen did not have much success with the Panthers, he could slide in nicely with the Bears. Emery said that he likes Palmer at number two, but wants more competition and now Fales and Clausen have the chance to try and work their way up. Clausen had surgery in the past and they like his mental makeup and his pedigree as a second round pick from Notre Dame.
Last season the Bears offense was fantastic under Trestman and the team ranked fifth in the league in passing yards per game with over 260 per game. The team also gained over 110 yards per game on the ground and Matt Forte had a career year with 1,339 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. The wideouts in Jeffery and Marshall have been extremely productive and they combined for 19 touchdowns last season, with the young star leading the two in receiving yards. Alshon had 89 catches for 1,421 yards last season while Marshall caught 100 balls and 1,295 receiving yards and 12 scores and they have proven to be one of the best WR duos in the NFL.
The Bears did not have any issues at their backup position last year, as Josh McCown was one reason why the team did not have a complete disaster in 2013. McCown played very well after Jay Cutler was injured and he was playing so well at one point that some were calling for McCown to continue starting even when Cutler came back. Marc Trestman was having none of that and while he praised McCown, he knew Cutler gave the team the best chance to win and the team nearly made the playoffs. Now McCown is in Tampa and is the likely starter, while Fales and Clausen will battle for the backup position and while Cutler signed a massive extension this year, he is a player that is injury prone and that means one of those names could step into the fold if that happens again.
