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These Moments Are What Killed The Jay Cutler Experiment In Chicago

By Erik Lambert

Sep 25, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler on the field before the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler on the field before the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 13, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) runs against Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Julius Peppers (56) during the second quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 13, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) runs against Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Julius Peppers (56) during the second quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /

2010:  The Knee

This was the high water mark of the Cutler era. After a rough start to the 2010 season, he transformed into quite the improviser down the stretch while leading the Bears to an 11-5 record and a division title. He then crowned it with a four-TD performance in the division playoff against Seattle for the last postseason victory the Bears have had. This was it. This was what Chicago had traded to get Cutler for. To be able to lift the offense beyond ordinary levels.

The team was one win away from the Super Bowl. Unfortunately the Packers stood in his way, and once again made his life miserable. Cutler was under siege by their defense all afternoon. He just couldn’t get anything going. Then early in the second half people noticed he didn’t come out for the next series and was instead on the bench. It was revealed he was nursing some type of knee injury. This set off a firestorm of other players and critics blasting him for being weak and not having the guts to come back out and help his team.

The Bears mustered 14 points thanks to backup Caleb Hanie but by then it was too late. Green Bay won and that was the day people began to doubt Cutler’s toughness, mentally and physically.

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