LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Before he jets off to Hawaii later this week to get married, Bears quarterback Kyle Orton visited Halas Hall Tuesday afternoon to take care of some important business.

The 2005 fourth-round pick from Purdue signed a one-year contract extension through the 2009 season, and then discussed the prospect of competing for the starting job with Rex Grossman.

Since joining the Bears in 2005, quarterback Kyle Orton owns a 12-6 record as a starter.

“Rex and I have been around each other for quite a while now and we’ve got a good relationship,” Orton said during a teleconference with the media. “We’re comfortable around each other. 

"I expect it to be a stiff competition. I think that’s how both of us want it. I know that’s how I want it, and I’m just looking forward to it.”

Orton, who agreed to the extension late Monday, put himself in position to compete for the No. 1 position by performing well while starting the final three games of the 2007 season.

Asked if he felt he would be given a legitimate chance to win the job, Orton said: “I wouldn’t have signed the deal if I didn’t think that. I’m excited for this year. I’ve got a great opportunity here. I’ve got great teammates around me that I know, and I’m ready to get back to work.”

Seeing his first regular-season action in two years, Orton completed 43 of 80 passes for 478 yards with 3 touchdowns, 2 interceptions and a 73.9 passer rating as the Bears lost to the Vikings before closing 2007 with back-to-back wins over the Packers and Saints.

“It made the offseason a lot easier and just leaves a little bit better taste in my mouth,” Orton said of finally getting the opportunity to play. “I’m ready to get back to work and excited to get back and compete.”

Prior to facing the Vikings Dec. 17 in Minnesota, Orton hadn’t stepped on the field since compiling a 10-5 record as a surprise starter during his rookie season in 2005.

“I’m sure you all know it’s been difficult for me and sometimes I handle it better maybe than other times,” he told reporters. “But that stuff’s in the past, and I think I’ve got a great opportunity here for the future and would love to make the best out of it and have a nice long career in Chicago.”

Orton credits strength and conditioning coordinator Rusty Jones with helping him get in the best shape of his life.

“My conditioning will be where it needs to be and I think my body is the best it’s been,” Orton said. “Physically, I feel great. I’m just excited to finally get a chance to get a lot of reps in practice and compete for a job and get better. I’m [most] excited about the reps I’m going to be getting and just the opportunity to improve.”

Orton and Grossman appear to be on equal footing as they prepare to battle for the starting job.

“I don’t want to say it’s tricky, but you’re going to have to have a real plan in place to be fair with everybody and to make sure that you’re making the right decision,” said general manager Jerry Angelo. “Because once we make the decision, we’re going to go forward with it and we’re going to stay with it.”

“I feel good about both guys,” said offensive coordinator Ron Turner. “Split the reps and let them compete. Let them both get reps with the ones and both get reps with the twos and let’s go.”

Orton agreed to the extension because his desire to remain with the Bears for an additional year was more important to him than becoming an unrestricted free agent following the 2008 season.

“I feel comfortable in Chicago,” he said. “I love the city. I think I’ve got a very loyal group of fans and I want to try to do everything possible to be here and be a great player here.

“Obviously, there’s always a business aspect to it. You’ve always got to explore options. But as we explored and looked [around], it just kind of kept on bringing us back here.”