The Chicago Bears have spoken to teams about a possible trade for disappointing third-year quarterback Cade McNown, according to Chicago newspaper reports.
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Dolphins among interested
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The Miami Dolphins are among several teams talking to the Bears about quarterback Cade McNown. Monday is the first day the Bears have started making calls shopping McNown and teams such as the Redskins, Chiefs, Lions and Steelers also may have some interest, perhaps even more interest than Miami.
The Dolphins are in search of quarterback depth since starter Jay Fiedler is an unrestricted free agent after this season. Fiedler's backup is Ray Lucas, but the No. 3 spot is unsettled with Mike Quinn battling rookie Josh Heupel, who is sidelined with a wrist injury.
Rick Spielman, former Bears pro personnel director, now holds the same job in Miami. Dolphins coach Dave Wannstedt was fired by the Bears in 1999, months before then-personnel director Mark Hatley drafted McNown.
Most of the Bears' major personnel decisions for this season had been made before new general manager Jerry Angelo was hired. He's thinking about the long term in trying to deal McNown and is looking at a move that would absorb McNown's salary-cap hit this season, not next.
The overall lack of quality NFL quarterbacks assures some interest in McNown. His low base salaries in 2001-03 of $325,000, $350,000 and $375,000 make him an affordable pickup for teams like Green Bay (Hatley's new home) and Miami.
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The Chicago Tribune, citing unnamed league sources, said the Bears apparently have decided to cut their losses with McNown, their 1999 first-round draft pick.
The Sun-Times reported Sunday that word around the league is that McNown is officially on the trading block and the Bears are entertaining offers if not actively shopping the former UCLA star. The Bears' asking price is believed to be a conditional draft choice.
"I don't really know anything about that," McNown told the Sun-Times. "All I can say is that I am a Bear and I'm competing for the starting job right now, and leave it at that."
McNown completed four of eight passes for 32 yards in a 27-24 preseason loss to the Tennessee Titans on Saturday night.
McNown could be in jeopardy of falling to No. 3 on the depth chart behind starter Shane Matthews and Jim Miller, who is expected to return from a strained hamstring and is a candidate for the starting job. McNown also has been outplayed in two exhibition games by free agent Danny Wuerffel.
Bears general manager Jerry Angelo did not comment on any trade discussions centered on McNown, but did say the team is always looking to improve its roster.
Releasing McNown would cost the Bears approximately $3 million against the salary cap, meaning the team would need to create space through other deals.
The Tribune cited team sources as saying the Bears have spoken to various players about restructuring their contracts. They also are looking to sign defensive end Bryan Robinson to a long-term deal that would reduce the $4.177 million salary-cap hit that comes with his transition tag.
McNown has gone 3-12 as a starter since 1999, including 1-8 last season.
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