McNown Is Benched for Season Finale

Chicago Bear Coach Dick Jauron announced Wednesday that Shane Matthews will start at quarterback Sunday against the Detroit Lions at the Silverdome instead of the former first-round draft pick Cade McNown.

McNown had his worst game in two seasons with the Bears in last weekend’s 17-0 loss at San Francisco, and the Chicago Tribune reported that Jauron benched McNown to head off a possible revolt within the team. Several players on offense and defense were angry at McNown’s lack of preparation for the game, and some went so far as to say they did not want to play if McNown were to start again.

Playing for the first time in seven weeks after being sidelined because of a shoulder separation, McNown was nine-for-29 passing for 73 yards and an interception. Chicago (4-11) never got past midfield.

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While the decision about Troy Aikman’s season was made for him, the agent of the concussion-prone Dallas quarterback said it will take some time before he decides if he will retire. “There seems to be a presumption that the day after the season is over, Troy and I are going to meet, he is going to do some soul searching and that day make a decision,” Leigh Steinberg said. “That is simply not going to happen. Even if he arrives at the decision that everyone thinks is obvious, it will not be with undue haste.” While Steinberg wouldn’t give a timetable on when he expects a decision by Aikman, he said it shouldn’t take as long as it did for Steve Young, another future Hall of Fame quarterback he represents. Young didn’t announce his retirement last off-season until June. Cowboy Coach Dave Campo said Tuesday that Aikman wouldn’t play against Tennessee on Christmas night. Aikman suffered his second concussion of the season and 10th of his 12-season NFL career Dec. 10 against Washington.

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The cast on Minnesota Viking quarterback Daunte Culpepper’s right ankle was removed and replaced by a walking boot, but Coach Dennis Green said it will be determined Friday if he has a chance to play Sunday at Indianapolis. Green also said the decision to play Culpepper could be a game-time decision. Bubby Brister would start if Culpepper doesn’t in a game the Vikings (11-4) probably need to win to get a first-round bye in the playoffs. . . . New Orleans Saint running back Ricky Williams was cleared to return to practice after breaking his ankle last month, but won’t play Sunday against St. Louis. Williams has been sidelined since suffering a broken left ankle Nov. 12 against Carolina. . . . Brad Johnson will be the starting quarterback for the Washington Redskins on Sunday against Arizona. Johnson was named the starter Wednesday after Jeff George was unable to practice. George strained his back in the 24-3 loss at Pittsburgh that eliminated Washington (7-8) from the playoffs. . . . Chris Chandler, demoted to third-string quarterback three weeks ago, will start for Atlanta on Sunday against Kansas City. Rookie Doug Johnson struggled as the starter the last two games.

AFC / LeBeau Receives a Multiyear Contract

The Cincinnati Bengal President Mike Brown rewarded Coach Dick LeBeau with a multiyear contract, saying he has earned his players’ respect since taking over Sept. 25 when Bruce Coslet quit after an 0-3 start.

LeBeau, 63, is a head coach for the first time after 41 years in the NFL, 14 as a player and 27 as an assistant. The Bengals are 4-8 under LeBeau, who began as defensive coordinator and was working with a one-year contract.

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The New England Patriots suspended cornerback Ty Law for Sunday’s game against Miami after he was caught at the Canadian border with the hallucinogenic drug ecstasy following last weekend’s loss to Buffalo. He could face further punishment from the NFL. . . . The Jacksonville Jaguars placed rookie receiver R. Jay Soward on the reserve list for non-football-related illness. The Jaguars did not disclose the nature of the illness, but confirmed that Soward left the team after practice Tuesday. Coach Tom Coughlin suspended Soward, a first-round pick draft out of USC, for last weekend’s game against Arizona for showing up late to a team meeting. Tardiness had been a problem for Soward all season. Coughlin had even hired a limousine service to shuttle Soward to and from practice on occasion, paying for it by deducting from his paycheck. . . . Denver Bronco quarterback Brian Griese practiced with the first team in preparation for returning as starter Saturday against San Francisco. Griese, the NFL’s top-rated passer, has been sidelined since suffering a separated right shoulder Nov. 13 against Oakland. . . . A bruised kidney will keep Seattle quarterback Brock Huard out of Saturday’s game against Buffalo.