Bears Sticking With Mike Glennon As Starting Quarterback

By Chris Emma--

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (CBS) -- Ever since signing quarterback Mike Glennon in March to a three-year deal worth up to $45 million, the Bears have stated that gives them their best chance to win.

A 29-7 blowout loss to the Buccaneers on Sunday left that theory in question. Glennon committed four turnovers, fumbling twice and throwing two interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown. He wasn't the only reason for an ugly loss, but it's difficult for any team to overcome four turnovers from its starting quarterback.

While much of Chicago calls for rookie Mitchell Trubisky's time as the starter, the Bears are standing pat entering a home contest against the Steelers on Sunday.

"Mike Glennon will be our starting quarterback against Pittsburgh," Bears coach John Fox said Monday at Halas Hall.

Fox was peppered with a number of questions about the quarterback situation during his weekly Monday press conference in Lake Forest. While he had praise for how Trubisky has developed, Fox said he wants to see more of Glennon.

"After two games, it's really hard to evaluate somebody," Fox said. "In two articles, I don't know if you should be fired or kept off of two things. But the truth of the matter is that right now, that's the case. We're playing arguably one of the better teams we're going to play this year at home. We're going to do everything in our power to look a little bit like we did in Week 1 than in Week 2. It gives us a chance.

"I wish we could play two quarterbacks at once, but I don't know if that would be our best option."

Glennon finished 31-of-45 for 301 yards, a touchdown and the two interceptions against the Bucs, though most of that production came late in a game already lost. He was 26-of-40 for 213 yards in the Bears' 23-17 loss to the Falcons in their season opener at Soldier Field, to which Fox alluded in his hope of how Glennon responds for Week 3.

As the Bears' deficit grew in Sunday's loss, Fox didn't consider a move to Trubisky. Glennon finished out the game, connecting with receiver Deonte Thompson for a score in the final minutes to avoid the shutout.

Trubisky entered the preseason as the Bears' third-string quarterback, earning his way to the backup role as the regular season began. Veteran Mark Sanchez is the team's No. 3 and has been inactive for the first two games of the season.

The Bears' initial plan was to have Sanchez work as the backup so Trubisky wouldn't be forced into action too soon. But Trubisky has ascended on a fast pace and was deemed ready to be the backup.

"I love where he is" Fox said. "I love his growth. I think the guy works at it very hard. He's into it on gameday. He's into it because you're one play away from being a starter, like any backup. It doesn't matter the position. You have to prepare like you're one play away. I like where he is and I like his development."

Trubisky's time could be coming sooner rather than later if Glennon continues to put the Bears in a poor position. For now, there will be no change at the quarterback position.

"He makes good decisions," Fox said of Glennon. "He works tirelessly in preparation. He works super hard. It's evident to his teammates -- what you'd expect from a starting quarterback. Like I said before, it's his second game, preparing now for our third game."