Wondering about a player, a past game or another issue involving the Bears? Senior writer Larry Mayer answers a variety of email questions from fans on ChicagoBears.com.
With the Bears severely depleted across the defense, are there any thoughts of trying to lure Brian Urlacher out of retirement?
Ray G.
Littlehampton, England
The Bears are looking to add veteran depth after losing D.J. Williams for the season with a torn pectoral muscle Oct. 10 against the Giants and Lance Briggs for six weeks with a shoulder injury Sunday versus the Redskins. But it won't be Brian Urlacher. General manager Phil Emery said Monday that Urlacher filed his retirement papers three or four weeks before the season started and the chances of the Bears signing him are "nil."
If Josh McCown had gotten hurt after replacing Jay Cutler against the Redskins, who would the Bears have played at quarterback?
Dan H.
Schaumburg, Illinois
Bears coach Marc Trestman said after Sunday's game and reiterated Monday that receiver Earl Bennett would have been installed at quarterback had backup Josh McCown been injured after Jay Cutler exited with a groin injury. Quarterbacks coach Matt Cavanaugh works with Bennett briefly every week preparing him in the unlikely event he's needed to play the position. Said Trestman: "We've got to make sure we've got enough going for ourselves to be able to get through it. But that would've been a darn shame [had a McCown injury forced Bennett to play quarterback]. You're asking yourself the question, 'Could this be the day?' You're hoping it isn't."
Will Redskins safety Brandon Meriweather be disciplined by the NFL for those two illegal hits against the Bears Sunday? I remember him playing the same way when he was with the Bears.
John G.
Oak Lawn, Illinois
Yes, the NFL has suspended Brandon Meriweather two games for his helmet-to-helmet hits against Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery in Sunday's contest. Meriweather drew 15-yard penalties for both hits. Marshall criticized Meriweather after the game, telling reporters that "guys like that really don't understand that there is life after football." If I remember correctly, Meriweather got fined twice for illegal hits when he played for the Bears in 2011.
