Rex hits the bench as Bears go with Griese as QB

LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- The Chicago Bears have seen enough of Rex Grossman. Now it's Brian Griese's turn.

"To make it official, Brian Griese will be our starting quarterback," Smith said at the start of his press conference. "Right now, we are not getting a whole lot done. It's not one person. I think we need a breath of fresh air. Other position needs to step up."

The much anticipated quarterback change became official Wednesday when the defending NFC champions announced Griese would start this week at Detroit.

At 1-2 and with the league's 30th-ranked offense, something needed to change for the Bears. So they turned to Griese, a Pro Bowl pick with Denver in 2000.

Whether this is the end for Grossman in Chicago or just a temporary switch after several rough outings remains to be seen. He has six interceptions and one touchdown this season and got picked off three times in last week's 34-10 loss to Detroit.

Grossman's contract expires after this season.

The 27-year-old Grossman has struggled ever since February's Super Bowl, when he threw two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. This year, he ranks 23rd in the league with 500 yards, has a 45.2 rating and is 47-of-89 (52.8 percent) with six interceptions and just one touchdown.

Griese, a 10-year veteran, is 32. He has passed for 16,564 yards, but has also been released three times -- by the Broncos, Miami and Tampa Bay.

Information from The Associated Press and ESPN.com's John Clayton was used in this report.

Source: ESPN.com