Bears Sign Griese

By Benjy Lipsman in News on Mar 22, 2006 6:55PM

We mentioned last week that the Bears were meeting with quarterback Brian Griese over the weekend. We guess the meeting went well, because yesterday the Bears inked him to a 5-year deal. After being cut by Tampa Bay in a salary cap move, he received inquiries from Cincinnati Miami, Baltimore and Oakland. Tampa even wanted to re-sign him to differently structured deal. But he chose to sign with the Bears, at least in part because he forsees the opportunity to start in Chicago.

The official word from Bears brass is that Rex Grossman remains the starting QB with Griese backing him up. Kyle Orton, who started most of last season, now falls to 3rd on the depth chart.

Will there be a competition for the starting job come training camp? At least now, Lovie Smith says no. He's sticking with Rex as his starting QB. We'll see about that. Lovie has shown he is quick to make changes in lineups if he thinks it'll help the team. Just look how quickly he dumped Hutchinson last year after he'd assumed the top spot on the depth chart. Chicagoist believes that Griese is the better QB right now and he'd give the team the best chance to win the NFC North and advance well into the playoffs in 2006. We understand the massaging of egos that must be done, especially when Grossman may be the man longer-term. But we suspect that come opening day, Griese will be under center taking the snaps in the Bears truly expect to reach Super Bowl XLI.