along now than I would have been if I would have just sat on an (NFL) roster last year and been a backup because I played eight games," and "I think you're only getting better when you're taking reps, so I really valued that." McCown threw for 265 yards and three touchdowns in the season-opening 27–10 victory over the Sacramento Mountain Lions. He was named the Offensive Player of the Week for Week 1. In Week 2, he completed 22 of 25 passes for 264 yards and two touchdowns. In Week 4, he threw for 223 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. McCown passed for 1,463 yards and 10 touchdowns with eight interceptions in eight games during the 2010 season. His 79.3 passer rating was the highest in the UFL in 2010. The Colonials finished the year with a 3–5 record. He was a team captain while with the Colonials. Return to NFL San Francisco 49ers On August 17, 2011, McCown signed a one-year contract for the minimum of $810,000 with the San Francisco 49ers. He was released by the 49ers on September 3, 2011. Chicago Bears On November 23, 2011, McCown signed with the Chicago Bears, as a backup to Caleb Hanie, after an injury to starting quarterback Jay Cutler. On December 18, 2011, McCown came in for Hanie with five minutes left in the fourth quarter of a 38–14 loss to the Seattle Seahawks at Soldier Field. McCown threw twice, one for a 12-yard gain, and the other was intercepted. On December 21, 2011, the Bears announced that McCown would start on the Christmas Day game against the defending champion Green Bay Packers, due to Hanie's struggles since taking over for the injured Cutler. McCown completed 19-of-28 passes for 242 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions in the 35–21 loss. In Week 17 against the Minnesota Vikings, McCown completed 15-of-20 passes for 160 yards with a touchdown and a pick with a 75.4 passer rating, but was sacked seven times. The Bears won 17–13. On March 14, 2012, McCown was signed to a one-year deal by the Bears, and was reassigned a new number from 15 to 12 after Brandon Marshall joined the team before McCown signed. On August 31, McCown was waived by the team. On November 12, McCown was again re-signed by the Bears after starting quarterback Jay Cutler sustained a concussion. McCown then