Chicago Bears: 5 Guys Who Can Backup Jay Cutler Next Season

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It might not be the Bears' top priority this offseason, but maybe it should be.

One of Phil Emery's first orders of business this offseason has to be addressing the backup quarterback position because the Bears can't afford to let last season happen again.

Over the last two seasons, the Bears are 2-5 when Jay Cutler doesn't start and that includes going 1-5 down the stretch last season.

Caleb Hanie isn't coming back and I don't think anyone is ready to hand the job to second-year man Nathan Enderle.

The Bears must go out and find a veteran signal caller who if given the chance can lead the Bears to a victory.

Here are some guys who might be up for the task.

Josh McCown

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Josh McCown did an OK job filling in for Jay Cutler last season.

He started the final two games against the Packers and Vikings and threw for 302 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. He also added 68 rushing yards.

Not bad for a guy who spent most of the season coaching high school football.

He complete over 64 percent of his passes and lead the Bears to a 1-1 record

If the Bears want to keep the status quo, which seems to the motto of the offseason, then McCown is probably their guy.

Kyle Orton

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Just the idea of bringing back Kyle Orton and his neck beard annoy me because I know it won't be too long before someone says it's time to start him.

Don't get me wrong, I would love to have a QB like Orton as the backup but it might not be the best idea here in Chicago.

Reportedly the Bears wanted to claim Orton last season, but the Chiefs beat them to the punch, so we know there's going to be some interest.

There are two things standing in the way of making this happen.

First, would the Bears be willing to pay the price for a starting caliber backup and second, would Orton be willing to accept a job where starting isn't a possibility?

Shaun Hill

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Adding Shaun Hill would be a smart move because he is a good backup and his departure would hurt a division rival.

In 2010 Hill started 10 games for the Lions completing over 61 percent of his passes and throwing for over 2,600 yards.

At the age of 32, his starting chances are probably gone so he would be pretty open to the idea of being a backup. Also he has experience in Mike Martz's offense, which the Bears will be running an altered version of.

Another bonus is that he can move pretty well in the pocket, which is huge with how the line has played the last two seasons.

Chad Henne

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It seems like every season since the Dolphins made Chad Henne their starter they have been looking to replace him.

Well with him being a free agent and how well Matt Moore played for them it looks like it's finally going to happen.

With a new head coach coming from the Packers, it would make sense that their top target would be Matt Flynn, which is good news for the Bears.

One, it gets Flynn out of the NFC, and two, it leaves a young strong-armed QB like Henne on the market.

In four seasons, Henne has started 31 games throwing for over 7,000 yards and completing 60 percent of his passes. He does have a problem with turnovers, throwing 37 interceptions compared to his 31 touchdowns, but some of that could have been a result of the talent around him.

Henne could greatly benefit from sitting for a year or two behind an experienced guy like Cutler, and his price tag might be just right.