Bears To Work Out JaMarcus Russell, Two Additional QBs

By Benjy Lipsman in News on Jun 5, 2013 4:40PM

While the Bears appear to be set at quarterback with Josh McCown and Matt Blanchard backing up Jay Cutler, it never hurts to have a current dossier on out-of-work passers in case somebody gets injured. And so the Bears are bringing in three NFL quarterbacks looking for work later this week—JaMarcus Russell, Trent Edwards and Jordan Palmer. Edwards started for the Bills for a time before bouncing around as a backup, while Palmer pretty much just backed up older brother Carson in Cincinnati.

Russell is by far the most eyebrow raising of the three. The former top overall pick in the 2007 draft signed a $61 million contract and yet was out of the league by 2010 because of poor play and worse work ethic. He was also busted for drugs after getting caught with coedine cough syrup. All that helped earn him the title of "biggest draft bust" ever. In his three seasons with the Oakland Raiders, Russell compiled a 65.2 passer rating and a 7-18 record in 25 starts.

After ballooning to the size of an offensive lineman, Russell has apparently shed 40 pounds in preparation for his latest comeback attempt. But even if he's in the best shape he's been in since he entered the NFL, can he spark any interest given his history of problems on and off the field? Is there room in the Black and Blue Division for a guy best known for his love of Purple Drank? We're highly dubious, and surprised the Bears are even wasting the time to take a look. There's little to lose other than a few hours of some people's time. Still, we can't imagine what he could do on the field or say in meetings with Bears personnel that would convince them keep his phone number handy.