By Will Brinson

Caleb Hanie had a good run (well, a run anyway), but it's all over now -- the Bears announced on Wednesday that Josh McCown will start on Sunday against Green Bay, per our Bears Rapid Reporter Gene Chamberlain.

It's been quite a while since McCown took starting snaps in an NFL game. December 23, 2007 to be exact, when, as Chamberlain notes, McCown went six of eight for 48 yards before leaving the game.

Since then, he's played in four NFL games (two with Carolina, one with Chicago), completing two of his eight attempted passes and throwing one interception.

In other words, things had to get really, really bad for the Bears to bail on Hanie and take a shot at McCown running the offense. And things did: Hanie completed an even 50.0 percent of his passes (51 of 102) for three touchdowns and nine picks this season and though he's been somewhat effective as a scrambler, it's pretty obvious he's not a capable starter in the NFL.

McCown probably isn't the "answer," per se, but the Bears are in a four-game losing skid since Jay Cutler suffered a broken thumb against San Diego. In those four games -- three of which were against the AFC West -- Chicago's been outscored 86-47. 21 of the points scored by their opponents came either on defensive touchdowns (two from the Seahawks) or via a Hail Mary (Tyler Palko to Dexter McCluster).

And the Bears limited the Raiders to six field goals (18 points) and a touchdown. It's not hard to imagine a world where, if they had a capable backup quarterback, they'd be in the playoffs.

So, um, Merry Christmas, Josh.


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