LAKE FOREST, Ill. – In the first of a two-part series, general manager Jerry Angelo answers email questions from fans exclusively on ChicagoBears.com:

Will the Bears try to re-sign Rex Grossman [who’s due to become an unrestricted free agent Feb. 29], and if so, when do you anticipate the negotiations will begin if they haven’t already?

Bears quarterback Rex Grossman threw for 1,411 yards with 4 TDs, 7 interceptions and a 66.4 passer rating in 2007.

We would definitely like to have Rex back. We’ve talked internally, and at some point we will visit with him and see if we can create a situation that’s workable for all of us. We’ve invested a lot in Rex, and we see him competing for the starting position. Given the familiarity that he has with our system and us with him, there’s no downside. He’s been a good soldier for us in terms of whatever role we’ve asked him to play, particularly this past season. We feel that having him in the mix makes us a better football team.

With the success Kyle Orton had as a rookie in 2005 and again late in 2007, do you see him entering training camp as the Bears’ No. 1 quarterback?

J.D.
Van Wert, Ohio

That’s going to be determined by the coaches [in relation to] the competition that we’re able to create here in the offseason. But we certainly respect and feel very good about what Kyle has done for us, not just this past year but when you go back to his rookie year, and we certainly see a player that has gotten better.

In trying to stabilize the most important position on the field, what are the chances of the Bears adding a quarterback to the mix this offseason, and are you more likely to do so via the draft, free agency or a trade?

Tom
Wauseon, Ohio

We’re not going to rule anything out given the fact that we do want to stay focused on that position at all times. Last year we were the best we’ve ever been with our three quarterbacks since I’ve been here and I feel that we will again be very solid at the position. I feel good about the direction we’re going in terms of the players that we’re looking at in free agency and the draft as well.

Without a good offensive line, it doesn’t matter who plays quarterback or running back. How much of a priority is bolstering the line this offseason and what are your plans in that area?

Gary
Virginia Beach, Virginia

It’s going to be a high priority this offseason, and we’ll look both in the draft and free agency to continue to create competition and upgrade the best we can. We’re very focused on our offensive and defensive lines.

Do the Bears plan on acquiring a running back to challenge Cedric Benson for the starting job, and are they likelier to land that player in free agency or the draft? I believe the Bears would benefit more by addressing the position in free agency than with an unproven back from college.

Robert
Bartlett, Illinois

Cedric will compete for the starting job. He certainly showed some good things prior to his injury. But given the fact that he really hasn’t laid the foundation yet … we’re going to look to create competition at that position just like we would at any position, and we won’t limit ourselves to either the draft or free agency. If we want to be a running football team, we’ve got to have good running backs.

With Bernard Berrian scheduled to become a free agent, do you expect the Bears will re-sign him or maybe place the franchise tag on him?

Jay
Billings, Montana

We haven’t gotten to determining anything on tags. We’d certainly like to have Bernard back, and I’ll leave it at that.

With Muhsin Muhammad not getting any younger and Bernard Berrian possibly exiting via free agency, do you see the Bears choosing a wide receiver in the first three rounds of the draft?

Jerry
Albuquerque, New Mexico

I’m not going to rule out wide receiver, but until we know Bernard’s future, we can’t say for sure in any round.