The Facts: The Bears will audition four quarterbacks to back up Jay Cutler over the next two weeks, if not longer. The latest addition is the most familiar face — former Notre Dame star Clausen signed a one-year deal with the team Thursday.
Diehards Line:Only 26, Clausen has youth and starting experience on his side, along with mental toughness that comes from backing up star Cam Newton the last three seasons. The 2010 second-round pick has a superior pedigree to Jordan Palmer, Jerrod Johnson and rookie David Fales. Clausen has 10 career starts; the other three have zero. But Clausen and the Bears’ three other backups share one thing — none has thrown a regular-season pass in the last three years. GM Phil Emery said last month he was absolutely comfortable with Palmer as the team’s No. 2 quarterback. The team, however, has stressed competition.