QB Connor Shaw took U-turn in Kentucky for second chance with Bears

By Patrick Finley

Bears quarterback Connor Shaw returned to the team last week after being told he’d been waived. (AP)

Connor Shaw was speeding south of Lexington, Kentucky, on May 30 — headed home to South Carolina and a world away from his life as a Bears quarterback — when his phone rang.

It was offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains. He told the quarterback to turn around because Mark Sanchez, the veteran who made it possible for the Bears to waive Shaw, had been injured during organized team activities.

“It was a wild day,” Shaw said Tuesday, one week after the team plucked him back from the waiver wire. “It’s a good thing the next day was a day off to get my mind back on track. Good to be here.”

How long he’ll stay is another question. Sanchez, who hurt his left knee last week, is expected to be ready by the start of training camp in late July.

Since re-signing Shaw to a one-year deal in early March, the Bears signed Mike Glennon to start this year and drafted Mitch Trubisky. They added Sanchez as a veteran mentor, leaving little room — outside the practice squad — for Shaw.

“There’s obviously a deep room with the choice they made in the draft — I totally understand that,” Shaw said. “I’ve been in the league long enough now where I understand the business of it. There’s no hard feelings. You just find a way to move on.

“Football can be relatable to a lot of other different jobs. People get fired and rehired every day. It’s just staying up and keeping a positive mindset about it all.”

Shaw has spent the better part of nine months trying to stay positive after suffering a grisly broken right leg in the third preseason game against the Chiefs.

Shaw, who was the Bears’ best quarterback last preseason, has earned praise from coaches since he’s been out. Shaw also missed the 2015 season after suffering ligament damage to his right thumb in the preseason while playing for the Browns.

The Bears could have used Shaw last season. Three quarterbacks earned at least five starts, including Matt Barkley, who was signed to fill the vacancy left by Shaw.

“At times there’s been some highs and lows, a lot of frustrating points, but that’s part of it, when you get hurt and you battle back,” Shaw said. “I really attacked my recovery and put myself in position to compete during OTAs.

“It’s really good to be back on the field. After that type of injury, you’re not sure if you’re ever going to play again. So I’m just fortunate, getting a football helmet.”

Shaw knows that helmet might not have a wishbone-“C” on it for much longer. For a few hours a week ago, it didn’t.

“You just gotta refocus your mind,” he said. “You gotta get back in the routine of things and compete.”

His role with the Bears, at least through the end of next week’s mandatory minicamp, is exactly that.

“Nothing changes for me,” he said. “My approach stays the same whether I’m a starter or a fourth-string quarterback.”

Follow me on Twitter @patrickfinley.

Email: pfinley@suntimes.com