Will Chicago Accept Rex?

Rex Grossman has been walking funny. The reason? For the vast majority of this season, he has had the city of Chicago crammed into his rear end.

This season, Grossman compiled 3,193 yards and 23 touchdowns. He recorded nine games of two hundred yards passing, nine games with more touchdowns than interceptions, and seven games where his passer rating exceeded one hundred. This final statistic equaled Peyton Manning’s production. Grossman only trailed Drew Brees and Tom Brady’s two-hundred yardage statistic by one. Manning, Brees, and Brady’s touchdown to interception games exceeded his by only one. Grossman led the Bears to the NFC’s best record.

Chicago has loved their quarterbacks. They cheered the flamboyant tenacity of Jim McMahon. They reveled in the rugged grittiness of Jim Miller. Why has Chicago refused to embrace Grossman? He strides with the confidence and bravado of McMahon. He is a gunslinger akin to Michael Jordan. He has the All-American persona of Ryne Sandberg.

Yet, Chicago has metaphorically spit on him. They have booed him. They have asked for his replacement. They have campaigned for his replacement. Despite his winning and statistics, which as stated, compare favorably with his colleagues, Chicago has rebuked him. Why?

Brian Griese is a perennial playoff loser. Grossman is a first round selection, who possesses the talent and mental toughness required to win. He has won two playoff contests. He has beaten the defending conference champions. He has beaten the New Orleans Saints, who everyone thought would win.

On Sunday, Grossman won the Bears’ most important game in twenty-one seasons. Maybe now, the city of Chicago will leave him alone.