Chad Hutchinson (born February 21, 1977 in San Diego, California) is an American football quarterback in the NFL who has played for the Chicago Bears and the Dallas Cowboys. He went to Stanford University. Hutchinson was part of a highly-publicized quarterback controversy with the Cowboys, when he and Quincy Carter competed for a roster spot in a Cowboys-themed documentary on HBO. Prior to the 2004 season, the Cowboys signed Vinny Testaverde and drafted Drew Henson, creating yet another quarterback controversy. Hutchinson was released on July 27, 2004, ostensibly in favor of Carter; however, when Carter was released under unclear circumstances, Testaverde was named the starter.
Hutchinson was signed as a backup by the Bears mid-season, and started several games after Rex Grossman suffered a season-ending injury. Hutchinson had been named as the starter for the 2005 season after Grossman suffered a severe ankle injury during the preseason, but was replaced in favor of rookie Kyle Orton after several poor preseason performances. After being demoted to the fourth-string quarterback spot (most teams keep three) on the depth chart, behind Orton, Jeff Blake, and Kurt Kittner, Hutchinson was released by the Bears on August 30 2005.
In 2004 he played ten games for the Rhein Fire in NFL Europe.
He also pitched in three games, all in relief, for the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team during the 2001 season. Hutchinson didn't fare well, giving up 16 baserunners (9 hits, 6 walks, and 1 hit batsman) and 11 earned runs in just 4 total innings. His MLB career totals include an 0-0 record, 2 strikeouts (Ben Petrick and Denny Neagle), and an ERA of 24.75.
