Just got off the phone with (now former) Panthers practice-squad quarterback Brett Basanez, who signed a two-year contract Tuesday with the Chicago Bears.

Basanez, who is from the Chicago suburb of Arlington Heights, Ill., and played collegiately at Northwestern, is excited about going home.

Basanez, signed by Carolina as an undrafted free agent in 2006, had a shot at being the Panthers' third quarterback in 2007, but he missed the season after hurting his wrist in a preseason game against the Patriots.

Basanez was pretty much buried on the Panthers depth chart behind Jake Delhomme, Josh McCown and Matt Moore last season. So it was time to find some place else to play.

"We'd been in contact with a couple of teams throughout the year and the Bears were one of them," said Basanez. "I was looking for a fresh start."

Basanez said he wants to "compete" for a spot on the Bears roster. Chicago's starter is Kyle Orton and the Bears also have Caleb Hanie, who was signed as an undrafted free agent last season. Rex Grossman won't return to the team.

Basanez said the Panthers told him they'd like to have kept him. As a practice squad player, he was often used to fill in on special teams and as a receiver during practice. He said the Panthers offered to let him try and make the squad in those capacities.

"They said, 'We want to help you help us,' " he said. "There were different ways to give me a shot. But this is what's best for my career at this point." -

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