The Chicago Bears have replaced Super Bowl quarterback Rex Grossman in their ailing offence.
Brian Griese is made Chicago's new starting quarterback
The Chicago Bears have replaced Super Bowl quarterback Rex Grossman in their ailing offence.
Brian Griese, 32, is the man to benefit from the change and will now start when the defending NFC champions head to the Detroit Lions on Sunday.
Defeats to the San Diego Chargers and the Dallas Cowboys in the opening three games of the season have seen the Bears offence slump to 30th in the league rankings.
Coach Lovie Smith admits the veteran has earned his chance, after watching his side score just two touchdowns in three games this season.
Opportunity
Smith said: "Of course, decisions like this aren't made overnight. I've looked at a pattern of our play and the play at the quarterback position.
"I'm excited for Brian. He brings a lot of experience.
"He's been a loyal soldier in a backup role up to this point and he's anxious to go.
"Our team will back him 100 per cent like they did Rex, and hopefully, we can get this thing going in the right direction."
Grossman has thrown six interceptions and just one touchdown so far in the new campaign, and speculation is growing over his future.
Future
Grossman has just a year left to run on his contract in Chicago, and coach Smith says the 27-year-old has definitely dropped down the pecking order.
"Rex wasn't under week to week: 'I have to play a certain way or I'll lose my job,' Smith added.
"I always let a player play for a period of time to show us exactly what we are. That's how we'll look at it from here on.
"Brian is our quarterback. The starting rotation has been established now."
Twenty seven-year-old Grossman has struggled since throwing two costly interceptions in February's Super Bowl.
Former Denver Bronco, Miami Dolphin and Tampa Bay Buccaneer Griese will therefore get his chance against NFC North rivals Detroit on Sunday.
