Chicago Bears Are Stuck With Jay Cutler But Not His Coaches

Take a poll on how many people want Jay Cutler out as quarterback of the Chicago Bears and it would be nearly unanimous.  Take poll on how many actually believe he’ll be gone in 2015 and that’s another story.  The enigmatic 31-year old is in the midst of his most disappointing season with the team, leading the league in turnovers and showcasing his inability to elevate the offense.

In other words, it’s just more of the same stuff fans have seen since he arrived in 2009.  The unfortunate part is their prime opportunity to get rid of him is gone.  Thanks to GM Phil Emery the Bears are now locked in with Cutler on a $126 million deal.  That includes another $15.5 million guaranteed in 2015, which all but kills the idea the team could cut him.  As for trade scenarios, they are likely fantasies since no team is going to want to touch that contract. In other words they are stuck with him at least for another year. However, that is not the case for his coaching staff.  Marc Trestman and his band of misfit coordinators are drawing a huge portion of the heat for the Bears falling apart down the stretch, not just by losing games but by losing them badly.  The team seems uninspired and directionless and the opponents know it.  That falls at the feet of the coaches.

GM Phil Emery deserves his share of blame as well but it’s not his job to motivate the players, which they clearly aren’t.  That is on Trestman and the former CFL coach and successful author has shown no ability to lead men in the NFL.  His laid-back style isn’t working and reflects in the utter lack of discipline or pride this team plays with.  That is why, if Emery survives the off-season, that it will be in the best interest of the Chicago Bears to scrap the coaching staff and give it one last try with Cutler at the helm.

Granted, starting over on offense again is not something he’ll be interested in doing, but it’s either that or start in a new offense somewhere else.  The Bears need a coach who can bring back the attitude and toughness of Chicago football.

Most importantly it should be somebody who won’t coddle Cutler.  That phase has not worked.  It’s time to turn up the heat, whether he likes it or not.