I’ve been putting off this post about the latest Bears game because I didn’t want to have to type the following words: the season is over. With Thursday night’s 24-16 loss in Washington, the Bears fell to 5-8 on the year, and would have to win out just to finish at .500. Even if they manage to do that, the only way they’d be able to sneak into a wildcard berth is if a handful of other teams lose the rest of the way, which isn’t likely to happen.
During the game, Rex Grossman suffered yet another season-ending injury, the third of his short career. This one turned out to be a sprained MCL, and will sideline him for who knows how long. Now the Bears have to decide whether or not they want Grossman around again next year, as his contract is up and he’ll be free to test the free agent market over the winter. Even though he’s had terrible times as a Bear, most analysts seem to think there will definitely be interest in Grossman from other teams. I don’t get it, but then I look around the league and see that Joey Harrington is still hanging on, so whatever.
It’s likely that the Bears will give Kyle Orton a chance to start the final three games to see how much he has improved in the last season and a half on the bench. Orton started 11 or 12 games during his rookie year, but pretty much just handed the ball off to Thomas Jones on every play. Now that Jones is gone and Cedric Benson is injured, there won’t even be a mediocre running game to fall back on. Orton will have to throw, so this will be a good opportunity to see where things stand.
With the Bears’ playoff hopes gone, there’s just no reason for Brian Griese to start anymore. He’s not the long-term solution to the Bears QB problems, and while he’s great to have around as a backup, Chicago needs to look to the future here.
Bring on Orton.
(I can’t believe I just typed that.)