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What If The Bears Had Landed Warner?

By Benjy Lipsman in News on Jan 21, 2009 4:15PM

2009_01_kurt_warner.jpg Perhaps the story of Super Bowl XLIII is the latest act for Kurt Warner, who's career has seen peaks and valleys unlike any player -- at least those who haven't harmed their own careers through crime or substance abuse. From the Arena Football League and stocking grocery store shelves; to league and Super Bowl MVP; to bench warming tutor for the next generation of quarterbacks; to Super Bowl starter once more. When the surprising NFC Champion Arizona Cardinals take the field on February 1, the unassuming Warner will be under center.

But what if he'd chosen to sign with the Bears instead? Back in 2005, when Eli Manning's emergence rendered Warner superfluous to the New York Giants, he visited Halas Hall. At the time, the Bears made it be known that Rex Grossman was the Quarterback Of The FutureTM and that the starting job was Rexy's alone.

Warner chose to sign with the Cards, where he had the possibility of earning the starting job.

Meanwhile, Grossman's luster has dulled considerably. Kyle Orton may or may not be the future at the position, and the Bears are no more settled under center than they were when they invited Warner in to chat back in '05. The Bears just might have had enough to win another Lombardi Trophy with a competent veteran quarterback. They got close in 2007 even with Grossman, losing to the Colts in Super Bowl XLI. But their window of opportunity may be closing.

Warner will once again become a free agent at the end of the season. Will the Bears try and sign him this time? Will they allow him to compete for the starting job, or just hand that assignment to him, in order to close the deal? It just might be their last, best hope for a championship anytime soon. Of course, Jerry Angelo will most likely find some way to ensure that we Bears fans wait a bit longer to taste victory again.

Paul Connors / AP