Bears Blitz

Jay Cutler’s Benching Too Little, Too Late for Bears

Published by Brian Mazique on December 18, 2014
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears

In case you missed it, the Chicago Bears head coach Marc Trestman has decided to bench Jay Cutler in favor of Jimmy Clausen, per Patrick Finley of The Chicago Sun-Times. The Bears are mathematically eliminated from the postseason, and despite high hopes for the season, the coaching staff is looking at a major shakeup.

Rumors have already surfaced that defensive coordinator Mel Tucker is on his way out, per Conor Orr of NFL.com. Also, Dan Bernstein of WSCR in Chicago reported that Trestman is likely to be fired and general manager Phil Emery’s job is in limbo.

While Cutler can’t be blamed for all that ails the defense, Trestman‘s offense was put firmly in his hands for 14 games. Like the ball he has turned over a league-high 27 times this year, Cutler fumbled and threw it away.

It makes sense that Cutler felt “shocked,” per SportsCenter’s tweet, when he was benched with two weeks left in the season.

In all honesty, the Bears should have benched him on Nov. 10.

This was the day after the team got embarrassed 55-14 on Monday Night Football by the Green Bay Packers and fell to 3-6. We watched Aaron Rodgers show the Bears faithful what a real franchise quarterback looks like yet again.

When a team’s biggest rival has the asset that it sorely lacks, it makes each exhibition of superiority sting even more.

Obviously, that beat down was about more than just the quarterback matchup. Take a gander at the statistical comparison from that night with Rodgers and Cutler.

While he wasn’t the only one to blame, Cutler was terrible on this night and it’s in these situations that his matter-of-fact, it-ain’t-my-fault disposition becomes even tougher to stomach. Per B/R’s Mike Freeman, Hall of Fame running back and NFL.com analyst Marshall Faulk sees the same thing:

Some might be thinking: “Well, the Bears actually won two games in a row after this loss.” You see, that’s exactly what Cutler does to you.

He gives you a little hope; just enough to think: “Boy, if he can just continue to play somewhere close to this level, the Bears will be alright.” After a while, the real Cutler will always stand up. Now, the Bears want him to sit down.

We should all know by now, Cutler is who he is.

At 31 years old, if he hasn’t stopped heaving passes off his back foot into a crowd, stretching his all-world receivers out over the middle and failing to properly read defenses, he never will.

Here’s what former Bears general manager Jerry Angelo said about Cutler, per Dan Wiederer of The Chicago Tribune:

“He’s not comfortable reading defenses and consequently locks onto a favorite or pre-determined target that may or may not be the right choice. The less he’s asked to see, the better he is.”

Is that the profile of a franchise quarterback?

I must admit, I was in favor of Cutler getting paid during the offseason. That was primarily because I believed in Trestman‘s ability to develop and get the most out of his signal-caller. This year, Cutler has proven to be deaf to the words of the quarterback whisperer.

Were the Bears all but eliminated at 3-6? Probably, but with two games coming up against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Minnesota Vikings, there was room for Clausen to come in and do his best Josh McCown impersonation.

What would that have accomplished?

It could have been huge for Trestman‘s future. If he could prove it was Cutler holding the offense back, then he could have gained management’s confidence for another season. McCown thrived in Trestman‘s system last season.

Reviving the career of another journeyman quarterback would look good on Trestman‘s resume. Instead, he might be going down with his quarterback.

Even from a team standpoint, an earlier benching could have improved the Bears’ finish to this season. This team looks like a crew that has given up. Usually, a respected leader under center is able to rally his troops. Unfortunately, Cutler has never been mistaken for that guy.

Clausen doesn’t exactly have Tom Brady’s intangibles, but he’s smart enough to observe what hasn’t worked for Cutler.

In the end, what was there to lose? Not much.

The reality now is that Clausen will likely be auditioning for a job somewhere in the last two games. If the entire coaching staff is replaced, it probably won’t be in Chicago.

If Clausen plays well in Week 16 and 17, imagine how Bears fans will feel. Say it with me: “We should have done this five weeks ago.”

Follow Brian Mazique on Twitter. I’m so Chicago.