Without Jay Cutler, the quarterback situation in Chicago has derailed what was beginning to look like a strong Bears team.
The Bears sat at 7-3 after a resounding win over the San Diego Chargers and were viewed as one of the few teams capable of dethroning the Packers in the NFC. But the Bears have lost two straight games started by backup Caleb Hanie, after Cutler was lost to a broken thumb.
As rumors swirl that the Bears might look to bring in a veteran QB to save the season, coach Lovie Smith said his team was 100 percent behind its current crop of signal-callers.
"Caleb is our quarterback," Smith said during his Monday news conference, via the Northwest Herald. "He, like the rest of our team, didn't play well yesterday. But give us a little bit of time."
Hanie threw three interceptions and failed to lead the Bears to a touchdown in Sunday's 10-3 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Smith told reporters the Bears had no plans to bring in another quarterback to compete with Hanie for the starting job. Comcast SportsNet Chicago reported Sunday the Bears planned to discuss whether or not to sign recently released quarterback Donovan McNabb.
"We're going to make improvements with our (QB) group," Smith said, via the Chicago Tribune. "We're not looking on the outside. We're not going to have a QB tryout."
The Bears remain hopeful that Cutler, who will have his surgically repaired thumb examined Wednesday, will be able to return to the field before the end of the season.
In other Bears news, Smith also responded to reports he might not bring back offensive coordinator Mike Martz next season.
"If there is a change that would be made, I'll be making it," Smith said. "I definitely haven't discussed that with anyone."
The Associated Press contributed to this report
