Bears' Fox hints Hoyer may keep starting job when Cutler returns

Chicago Bears head coach John Fox appears to be considering keeping Jay Cutler on the bench, even when the quarterback recovers from a thumb injury.

Fox hinted Monday that Brian Hoyer, who has started the last two games in Cutler's absence, has done enough to keep the starting job.

"Anybody's that performing well, I don't think we're going to be likely to change," said Fox, when asked about his quarterback situation.

Fox could be attempting to light a fire under the notoriously carefree Cutler, or may be trying to keep opponents guessing about who'll be under center.

But there appears to be a genuine chance that Hoyer, who led the Bears to their first win Sunday and has thrown four touchdowns and no interceptions in two and a half games, could be kept in at quarterback.

Any such move would likely be end of Cutler's time in Chicago, as the veteran's passer contract allows the club to move on from him after the season with little financial ramifications.