10 QB Candidates Who Should Replace Caleb Hanie as Jay Cutler's Backup in 2012

The Caleb Hanie Experience was a disaster and the Josh McCown Show hasn't run long enough for anyone to know if he's the guy, but somehow, some way, the Bears have got to find a backup to Jay Cutler.

They simply can't go into next season the way they did this year—with the uncertainty of an unproven second stringer and a single point of failure at the QB position.

Meanwhile, it is likely that Bears fans have seen the last of Hanie, who played very poorly as Cutler's replacement.

So, while McCown is certainly a strong candidate, especially if he plays well again versus Minnesota, there are others for the Bears to choose from.

Let's find out who they are.

Josh McCown

Of course, McCown is the favorite to land the backup QB job in Chicago, especially if he plays wells against the Vikings.

But stranger things have happened. Remember back to last season's NFC Championship Game, when Hanie came in for an injured Cutler and excited the fans?

Well, how did that turn out?

A lot may also depend on whether or not Mike Martz returns as the offensive coordinator. Personally, I think he will, but others feel that he is as good as gone.

I say that if McCown has a good game against the Vikings, he returns. If not, it's up in the air.

ODDS: 2-1

Kyle Orton

There may be two factors working against Orton returning to Chicago to back up Cutler.

First, he may wish to find a place where he can at least battle for the starting job. And two, with the way he's performed in Kansas City, they may want him back.

But if he does land on the unrestricted free-agent market, it would make sense for the Bears to go after him.

After all, the devil you know is better than the devil you don't know. And Orton is the kind of game manager who could keep the Bears in games until the starter comes back.

ODDS: 6-1

Donovan McNabb

If McNabb doesn't retire, he will be available, but the Bears already passed on signing him for a pro-rated share of the league minimum, so they obviously aren't interested.

I only include him here in case the Bears make a change at the GM and/or the offensive coordinator position and the new guy(s) like McNabb.

ODDS: 55-1

Rex Grossman

Yep, Orton isn't the only former Bears QB to be a free agent in the offseason. Could the Bears bring back Grossman, who was, at times, historically bad, yet also shows flashes of brilliance?

After all, he knows the city and Lovie Smith. And he did take the team to the Super Bowl.

But no, nothing to see here. Keep moving.

ODDS: 75-1

Jason Campbell

Campbell is unlikely to re-sign with Oakland, as Carson Palmer will be the Raiders starting QB in 2012. So why would he take a job as a backup in Chicago?

Well, because there may not be another team that offers him a starting job.

Meanwhile, he did progress this season, with a 60.6 percent completion rate, 1170 yards, six TDs and four INTs.

Still, he will be in demand as a longshot.

ODDS: 20-1

Josh Johnson

The backup to Josh Freeman with the Bucs, there may be one too many Josh's in Tampa Bay. He separated his left shoulder against Carolina, but he acquitted himself pretty well in his one start.

Johnson completed 16-of-27 for 229 yards, with one TD and one INT in that game versus the Panthers.  

He is a young QB with a powerful arm and great speed, so a team like the Chiefs could sign him.

ODDS: 17-1

David Garrard

Garrard would have been scooped up by a team this season, but his back wasn't ready. But assuming he's healthy in 2012, there will be no shortage of suitors for Garrard.

ODDS: 30-1

Kyle Boller

In his career, Boller has a 48-to-54 TD to INT ratio, 8.931 yards and a QB rating of 69.5. So, to say he's had a good career would be quite a stretch.

Yet if you look at McCown's career stats, they are just as bad. Boller, the former first-round pick of the Ravens, is another Raiders backup QB on this list.

He started two games when Jason Campbell got injured, before they acquired Palmer. Ironically, Palmer was the QB picked ahead of Boller in that draft.

By the way, Boller was not good in those two starts. In fact, over his last three seasons, Boller has three TDs and 10 INTs.

ODDS: 12-1

David Carr

Carr turns 33 in July, and while he's had some good seasons as a starter, those days are long gone.

He will be an unrestricted free agent after this season. He currently is with the Giants, but his only pass attempts (13) over the past two seasons came with the 49ers. .

The first overall pick of the Texans in 2002, Carr is not a strong candidate to be anyone's second-string QB at this point.

ODDS: 50-1

Shaun Hill

The Lions backup QB is an unrestricted free agent and he actually has a pretty decent career record.

Hill turns 32 in January, and has no chance to start in Detroit, so a backup job with Chicago could be a possibility.

He has an 84.7 career QB rating over parts of six seasons, with 39 TDs and only 23 INTs. He was pretty good as the starting QB in 2010 when Matthew Stafford was hurt, so there could be teams that view him as a starter.

ODDS: 8-1