Quarterback Jason Campbell left the Bears this off-season thinking he could compete somewhere else for a starting job.
He inked a two-year deal worth $3.75 million this off-season with the Cleveland Browns to do such that.
He signed a one-year deal worth $3.5 million last off-season to backup Jay Cutler. He started one game in six appearances, completing 32 of 51 pass attempts for 265 yards two touchdowns and two interceptions in 2012.
However the 31-year old Auburn product might have a tough time winning the starting gig and perhaps even the backup gig with the Browns.
The Browns signed quarterback Brian Hoyer to a two-year deal worth $1.96 after he was waived by the Arizona Cardinals last month. Hoyer is set to make exactly half of what Campbell’s salary is in 2013 ($715,000-Hoyer, $1.5 million-Campbell).
According to ESPN Cleveland beat writer Tony Grossi:
“It’s much more likely that Hoyer unseats Campbell for No. 2 than Campbell unseats Weeden for No. 1.”
The biggest advantage that Campbell has over Hoyer is experience. Campbell has made 77 starts at quarterback in his eight NFL seasons. But with Hoyer coming in to town and bringing his so-called “intangibles” it could spell the end already for Campbell.
Also, Browns GM Mike Lombardi was very fond of Hoyer well before he took over in Cleveland. In 2011, he said he’d rather have Brian Hoyer under center than former starter Colt McCoy.
Most NFL teams keep only two quarterbacks active on game days, so the roster spot should come down to Campbell or Hoyer. Considering Campbell is set to make double of what Hoyer’s salary is in 2013 it’s very well possible that the Browns opt to cut Campbell before the start of the season.
Josh McCown and Matt Blanchard are currently the only other quarterbacks on the Bears’ roster other than starter Jay Cutler.
Jason Campbell wasn’t re-signed this off-season simply because the Bears didn’t have the money to sign him. But he would certainly come cheaply if released by Cleveland before the start of the 2013 season.
Don’t be shocked to see the Browns cut Campbell in favor of Hoyer. If released, the Bears would be stupid not to lure Campbell back to the windy city to backup Cutler once again.
The Bears have shown they’re willing to bring back players as they released and re-signed RB Kahlil Bell and DT Amobi Okoye multiple times last season.
Don’t be shocked to see Jason Campbell donning a Chicago Bears jersey once again in 2013. He would be a tremendous upgrade over the current backup options behind Jay Cutler.
Jake Perper is the founder and head writer for Bearsbacker.com. Follow him on Twitter, @Bearsbacker and on Facebook for up to the minute news about the Chicago Bears.
