Texans sign former Bears quarterback Grossman

HOUSTON (Reuters) - The Houston Texans have signed former Chicago Bears quarterback Rex Grossman, the NFL team said on Friday.

Grossman, who was with the Bears for six years but spent the past season as back-up, was a free agent.

The Texans have Matt Schaub as starting quarterback and also signed ex-Detroit Lions quarterback Dan Orlovsky to a deal during the offseason. Grossman will likely have to compete with Orlovsky and Alex Brink for backup duties.

"I'm going to be a good soldier, but at the same time, I am going to compete and do the best I can," Grossman told the team's website (www.houstontexans.com).

"They've got their starter and they brought in Dan Orlovsky. I am just going to get in the mix and see where I fit in."

Grossman threw for 6,164 yards and 33 touchdowns during an NFL career that has featured 36 games with 31 starts.

The Indiana native's best season came in 2006 when he threw for 3,193 yards, second most in Bears history. He passed for 23 touchdowns that season on his way to leading Chicago to the NFC North division title and a place in the Super Bowl.

(Reporting by Simon Evans in Miami; Editing by Alison Wildey)