March 07--Quarterback Jimmy Clausen has agreed to a new one-year contract with the Chicago Bears, a person with knowledge of the situation confirmed Friday.
The move comes ahead of the Thursday deadline to guarantee Jay Cutler $10 million of his $16 million base salary for 2016. The Bears also have 2014 sixth-round pick David Fales on the roster.
New Bears coach John Fox was the Carolina Panthers' head coach when they drafted Clausen 48th overall out of Notre Dame in 2010. Clausen went 1-9 as a starter during that 2-14 campaign, after which Fox's contract was not renewed.
Clausen, 26, did not start another NFL game until Week 16 last season, when then-coach Marc Trestman benched Cutler. Clausen suffered a concussion in that 20-14 home loss to the Detroit Lions, and Cutler started the finale. Cutler finished last season as the NFL's leader in turnovers with 24.
In Clausen's one start last season, he was 23-of-39 for 181 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.
The Bears explored the possibility of signing veteran quarterback Josh McCown in February. McCown met with Fox, new general manager Ryan Pace and new offensive coordinator Adam Gase at the NFL scouting combine, but the Cleveland Browns signed him to a three-year deal that reportedly included $6.25 million guaranteed.
ESPN first reported Clausen's agreement with the Bears.
