McCown to start Sunday
Veteran quarterback Josh McCown is slated to start against the Green Bay Packers on Christmas night, the Bears announced Wednesday.
Bears coaches tabbed McCown to start in place of fourth-year quarterback Caleb Hanie, who went 0-4 as a starter with nine interceptions and a miserable 41.8 passer rating. The Bears also have rookie quarterback Nathan Enderle, who has yet to play in the regular season.
McCown, 32, has not started an NFL game since 2007, when he was a member of the Oakland Raiders. He was out of the league and coaching high school football this season before the Bears signed him Nov. 23 after franchise quarterback Jay Cutler broke his right thumb.
In 48 games played (31 starts), McCown has passed for 6,596 yards, 35 touchdowns and 41 interceptions. His career passer rating is 70.9 in parts of nine seasons with Arizona, Detroit, Oakland, Carolina and Chicago.
McCown's debut with the Bears was short and sour in Week 15 against the Seattle Seahawks. After he replaced Hanie in the fourth quarter, he completed his first pass attempt for 12 yards but was intercepted on his second and final pass attempt of the game.
-Tom Musick
