Well it’s official, his time as a Chicago Bears has come to an end-erle. Practice Squad QB Matt Blanchard from Wisconsin-Whitewater has been deemed better than good ole’ Nate.
It was difficult to imagine a scenario in which the Chicago Bears would take five quarterbacks to training camp.
They won’t now after Nathan Enderle, a fifth-round draft pick in 2011, was placed on waivers Thursday afternoon following the team’s final minicamp practice.
Enderle was cut loose giving Matt Blanchard, the undrafted rookie free agent from Wisconsin-Whitewater, an opportunity to be the fourth quarterback in training camp. Blanchard will not challenge veteran Josh McCown for the No. 3 job on the roster, but a strong showing could lead the Bears to consider a role for him on the eight-man practice squad.
Enderle, a four-year starter at Idaho, was drafted a year ago after ex-offensive coordinator Mike Martz personally scouted him. He didn’t get the benefit of an offseason program as a rookie because of the lockout and struggled in preseason, not unusual for a rookie. But when disaster struck and starter Jay Cutler was injured and backup Caleb Hanie bombed out, the team didn’t even consider turning to the third-stringer Enderle, who was kept on the 53-man roster. The Bears signed McCown off the street and used him when Hanie’s struggles didn’t end.
Now, Enderle will hope to be picked up elsewhere. The Bears’ roster now stands at 87, three short of the minimum.
