As Jonathan Quinn prepares for his first start, a look at memorable Bears backup quarterbacks:
Steve Fuller (1984-87)
Kansas City drafted Fuller in the first round the same year San Francisco took Joe Montana in the third. The Bears sent two draft choices to the Rams for Fuller to do one thing–be ready to play if Jim McMahon was hurt. With McMahon out with a kidney laceration, Fuller led the Bears past the defending champion Redskins in the 1984 playoff opener. Fuller started five games for McMahon during the 1985 championship season.
Doug Flutie (1986-87)
Mike Ditka soured on Fuller and traded for Flutie during the 1986 season when McMahon was injured. Flutie started the first playoff game, in which the Redskins upset the Bears at Soldier Field. Flutie was traded to New England during the 1987 strike.
Dave Krieg (1996)
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After back-to-back 9-7 seasons, the Bears thought they were contenders and signed Krieg, a longtime starter for Seattle, to back up Erik Kramer. He played more than the injured Kramer, throwing 14 TD passes and 12 interceptions.
Mike Tomczak (1985-90)
In and out of the lineup as another of McMahon’s replacements, Tomczak led the Bears to a first-round 1988 victory over Philadelphia in the “Fog Bowl” game at Soldier Field.
Chris Chandler (2002-03)
Signed to back up Jim Miller after the 2001 playoff season, he wound up replacing Kordell Stewart in ’03.
Rudy Bukich (1958-59, `62-68)
A backup on the ’63 championship team, he took over for Bill Wade in 1964 and led the NFL in passing for a 9-5 Bears team in 1965.