The Chicago Bears didn't get the quarterback they were waiting for Wednesday when Kyle Orton was claimed off waivers by the Kansas City Chiefs, but they did get a quarterback familiar with Mike Martz's playbook.

Minutes after the waiver deadlined passed, the Bears announced they have agreed to terms with Josh McCown on a one-year contract to join the roster with Jay Cutler sidelined after undergoing surgery Wednesday on his right thumb.

McCown played under Martz during the 2006 season with the Detroit Lions and learned the offense so well that he played some wide receiver that season when injuries ravaged the position. He's made 31 starts in his career since joining the NFL with the Arizona Cardinals in 2002, and is a player the Bears talked about last year before Todd Collins was signed as the backup.

Orton was claimed by the Chiefs and could become their starter quickly. The Bears and Dallas Cowboys also placed claims for Hanie. The Cowboys could have been looking to damage the Bears' playoff chances by getting Orton.

It's clear with McCown coming in that the Bears are committed to Hanie until Cutler can return, but they badly wanted Orton and that's why they waited.

"I talked to Lovie (Smith) this morning and he just said whatever veteran quarterback we bring in, you don't need to worry about it," Hanie said. "You're our guy. That was it."

Orton and the Chiefs -- led by head coach Todd Haley, the former Bears wide receivers coach -- will visit Soldier Field on Dec. 4.

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favrefan said:"Chris Coghlan isn't gonna pay your rent, Jimmy."

The Bears will repay them by eliminating the Chiefs from playoff contention for their $3 million effort.

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

McCown has had some decent seasons in the NFL. Not great,but at this point in the season,the Bears are lucky to have a guy like this. He should have been here last year.

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favrefan said:"Chris Coghlan isn't gonna pay your rent, Jimmy."

I don't like to see Martz influencing the team so strongly and I don't want to see him, now with Roy Williams, reconstructing some old Lions team that never won anything. He's going to be in Lovie's ear the minute Haney screws up (which he is bound to) with all the reasons Haney should back up McCown.

The Bears are a better team with Martz suppressed. Lovie's deference to Martz is a weakness. Watch it cost the Bears a needless loss.

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The Cubs, I mean Sox, won, I mean lost--Tommy Williams.

Did Martz actually play football ever?

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That's my purse! I don't know you!

Don't think so... I could be wrong... I think he's straight up guru status...

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Accordin to Wikipedia he played TE @ San Diego Mesa College, UCSB and Fresno state and graduated from none of those schools.

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That's my purse! I don't know you!

So he's like jeremy pivens character from pcu?

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