With their two top quarterbacks hurt, the Bears are bringing in former Notre Dame quarterback DeShone Kizer for a tryout.
A second-round pick in 2017, Kizer started 15 games for the Browns as a rookie — and lost all 15. He completed 255-of-476 passes for 2,894 yards, 11 touchdowns, 22 interceptions and a 60.5 passer rating, and hasn’t made a start since.
He appeared in three games for the Packers in 2018. The Raiders claimed him off waivers in 2019 and cut him from their practice squad in late September.
General manager Ryan Pace is familiar with Kizer from the 2017 draft process, in which he visited Halas Hall twice because Notre Dame was considered a “local” team for the Bears.
When Pace traded up for Mitch Trubisky in the first round, though, that eliminated any need for Kizer.
The Bears were left to explore contingency plans this week after quarterback Nick Foles hurt his hip and gluteus muscle when he was thrown to the ground in Monday night’s loss to the Vikings. His backup, Mitch Trubisky, has yet to practice since he hurt his shoulder Nov. 1 against the Saints. The Bears have yet to rule either out for the Nov. 29 game against the Packers.
The Bears have Tyler Bray – who played the rest of the team’s final drive Monday – and Kyle Sloter on their practice squad. Bray had thrown one career pass before Monday; Sloter has none.
Receivers Greg Dortch and J.J. Nelson were on the Bears’ tryout list, too.
Also Wednesday, the Bears claimed DeAndre Carter, a punt and kick returner, off waivers from the Texans. Carter, who has returned 59 punts for 559 yards since 2018, takes up a roster exemption but is likely to eventually replace Dwayne Harris, who the Bears believe tore his triceps, on the active roster.
