Chicago Bears: Jay Cutler Done? Not So Fast

The Chicago Bears are looking to gain momentum with quarterback Brian Hoyer. But does that mean that Jay Cutler is done?

Every single year, the question as to whether quarterback Jay Cutler is done with the Chicago Bears dances through the air as some type of postseason mantra. The media and fans alike discuss the rumors of a trade depending on how the season goes. Cutler is questioned on his leadership, toughness, and demeanor. Even ESPN Stephen A. Smith, who will admit that Cutler has a great arm, demanded that the Bears be done with him.

Cutler has also been labeled an offensive coach killer. In his tenure in Chicago, he has gone through six offensive coordinators. In his defense, though, the Bears never truly had a stable offensive line that would allow him the luxury to stand in the pocket with time and get the ball out clean. Adam Gase was the only one willing to work with him and build on his strengths. That showed on the field last season and, had Gase chosen to stay, this would not be the topic of the day.

Many fans forget that he has had to play through adversity as a Type 1 diabetic. Having to constantly monitor your blood-sugar levels is an inconvenience and can make one a tad salty when battered more than the average quarterback.

Now a mature man who’s married with children, he has a different sense of what it takes to be a leader. His teammates stand by him as well as his coaches. But after another injury setback, the rumor mill begins to churn again and the days of Cutler in Chicago must be over now, right? Isn’t that what coach John Fox said? Not really.

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On the subject, Fox told CBS Chicago, “It’s performance-based. So, anybody that’s performing well, I don’t think we’re going to be likely to change.”

Let’s just make this clear. Fox did not out-right say, “Cutler is benched, has performed poorly, or lost his job.” Yes, headlines frame it as Fox “refusing to commit to Cutler as the Bears starter.”

Instead, what he is saying is this: if the person under center is putting numbers in the win column, there is no reason to take him out. In other words, let it ride and see what Hoyer will do in terms of commanding the offense and getting into a consistent rhythm. If it doesn’t work and he reverts back to the turnover machine he was in Texas, then Cutler will play if he’s healthy.

Still not sure? How about a lesson from the book of Gary Kubiak and the Denver Broncos. When quarterback Peyton Manning was benched in Week 10 of the 2015 season due to his four turnovers, a bout with plantar fasciitis kept him out for several weeks. Backup Brock Osweiler took over and was winning games for the Broncos. Kubiak was not about to pull him out while the streak was hot. It wasn’t until Week 17 when Osweiler had two interceptions and a fumble that Kubiak was ready for Manning to take back the offense. Manning did and, well, the rest is Super Bowl history.

Kubiak’s decision was performance-based. It is the logical thinking of a good coach that brings it back to reality. Above everything else, winning games is the most important thing. With Fox, it is not about Cutler and his job as the starter. To say that Cutler’s time in Chicago is over after Hoyer picked up a single win is rather ostentatious.

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There is a plan that general manager Ryan Pace, Fox, and the other coaches have in place. That plan involves the cooperation of all team members, having them gel together to bring about cohesiveness. This includes Cutler getting healthy and being ready to step in when ready. Any smart coach would not get rid of a decent quarterback in the early stages of the season. A veteran who has won games is best kept fresh and ready when needed. Cutler is not going anywhere just yet.

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