The Chicago Bears have handed a one-year contract extension to quarterback Kyle Orton.

25-year-old Orton is likely to compete with Rex Grossman for the starting job next season after Grossman also recently put pen to paper on a new deal.

A three-year veteran out of Purdue, Orton started the final three games of the last campaign, winning two of them.

He completed 43-of-80 passes for 478 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions after taking over from Brian Griese.

Grossman had begun the campaign under centre, starting the first three games before being benched. He did start in five more games before a knee injury ended his year early.

The Bears have also announced that they have handed tight end Desmond Clark a two-year extension.

Clark was third on the team with 44 receptions for 545 yards and four touchdowns last season.