Hoyer still a good fit for Bears
If it's the Chicago Bears' intention to draft their quarterback of the future this year, it makes sense that Brian Hoyer would be their opening-day starter.
Hoyer, just recently cleared after a fractured left arm ended his season Oct. 20, can become an unrestricted free agent in March.
But his asking price would be a fraction of the $16 million cap hit the Bears would absorb if they retain Jay Cutler.
Hoyer's 98.0 passer rating in five starts was vastly superior to Cutler's 78.1 and Matt Barkley's 68.3.
Hoyer has started 27 games in the past three season, including nine for the Houston Texans in 2015 and 13 for the Cleveland Browns in 2014.
"I'm just always trying to get better," Hoyer said. "You just keep learning. The more you play, the more you see, and hopefully the better you get because it's stuff that you've seen before.
"I was starting to get there (this season), and unfortunately you get the injury and you kind of put that on hold. (But) there is never enough you can do to get better.
"All the great quarterbacks are constantly trying to get better. That's the plan this off-season."
Hoyer has been focused on his rehab and says he has yet to think seriously about next year, but he would love to plant roots after playing for five teams in six seasons.
"My comfort level here, I hope it's something I can be a part of (going forward)," he said. "I'd love to stay here. I think we have the building blocks in place."
Remaining with the Bears might mean mentoring a young quarterback at some point, but Hoyer said he's OK with that.
"I kind of did that with Johnny (Manziel)," Hoyer said of their time together in Cleveland before Manziel's life and career went off the rails. "I'm a good teammate. I've been around. I have a lot to offer in that regard.
"But I also think the best way to show a young guy how to do it is to do it well and just do your job. I really have a lot of confidence that playing in these four (full) games here really re-emphasized that for me, just proving to myself I can play at this level."
Another possibility:
Quarterback Matt Barkley, who started the final six games (his first in the NFL) after Jay Cutler and Brian Hoyer landed on injured reserve, will be an unrestricted free agent in March.
But he said it's too soon to plan for the future.
"That'll come with time," said Barkley who started impressively but tossed 10 interceptions in his last three starts.
"I definitely want to be here, definitely want to be with this staff, these players. There's definitely something special brewing here. Hopefully I can be a part of that."
Getting a head start:
Bears coach John Fox and his staff will coach the North team at the Senior Bowl during the final week in January in Mobile, Ala.
During a full week of practice leading up to the game, Fox and his staff will get an up-close-and-personal look at some of the top seniors in this year's draft.
Cleveland Browns head coach Hue Jackson and his staff will coach the South team.
"We're excited for this opportunity to get a hands-on look at some of the top draft-eligible players in the nation," Fox said in a release.
"The Senior Bowl experience will provide our coaches and personnel staff an extended chance to evaluate these players in a one-on-one setting which could prove to be very valuable as we approach the NFL draft.
"It's a great opportunity to spend some extra time with these guys and see how they respond to our staff."
Sign 'em up:
Eight players were signed Tuesday to reserve/futures contracts, including three who played for the Bears this season: cornerbacks De'Vante Bausby and Jacoby Glenn and offensive lineman Cornelius Edison.
The other five all spent time on the Bears' practice squad: wide receiver Dres Anderson, running back David Cobb, offensive tackle William Poehls, cornerback Rashaad Reynolds and guard Cyril Richardson.
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