(Update on this situation, via Rapoport on 12-17-14)
We crunched the numbers now, following the Saints loss and we looked at all the scenarios for getting rid of Jay Cutler, this is what it would cost. Of course, the Chicago Bears also have to pay good money to Coach Marc Trestman, to make him walk away. Which they have every intention of doing on “Black Monday,” reports concur. Even Bears GM Phil Emery has job insecurity.
Both fairly and unfairly, Quarterback Jay Cutler has been the scapegoat for the Chicago Bears failings much of this season. Bears nation has directed a lot of their vitriol towards him (as well as Marc Trestman and Defensive Coordinator Mel Tucker, who could likely be dismissed soon) for an abysmal season that’s been a complete team effort. Or lack there of. If you have to single out somebody, usually the blame falls on the quarterback.
Again, Cutler has been kind of unfairly criticized. He’s done his job as a passer- as his stats have been as impressive as you could expect from him. You can’t blame Jay Cutler for all of the running game’s issues either.
Obviously, the biggest problem is the defense, and that is obviously not Cutler’s fault.
On the flip side, being the highest paid player in the NFL brings with it certain expectations and responsibilities, and Cutler has failed massively in living up to that. $22.3 million should buy you an MVP; or at least 35 TDs, 4,000 yards passing and a playoff appearance. Jay Cutler has not come even remotely close to being worth the exorbitant price tag, and his biggest let-down has been in the leadership department.
QBs, especially the extremely well paid ones, need to be leaders of their teams, and Cutler is definitely not that. He lacks the personality for it. Speaking of his personality, that’s another reason Jay Cutler draws a large amount of ire from Chicago Bears nation. Bears fans love to give Cutler less of the credit than he deserves, and more of the blame than he deserves. It’s partially because he reminds them of Billy Czapka, a villain in quite a few ’80s movies.
The backlash against Cutler is so strong that someone even made a parody music video lampooning him.
Then there’s that whole “I don’t care” attitude that Jay Cutler persistently, albeit perhaps not intentionally, consistently conveys. So we’ve covered why Chicago doesn’t like the guy; at all.
What can be done about it?
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport
On Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler:
“I’m told by Bears sources that there is a serious case of buyer’s remorse for Jay Cutler and signing him to that huge contract that is guaranteed through next year. Jay Cutler simply has not played well enough but it’s not just in the passing game. His refusal to check out of bad run plays has absolutely killed this team and there is a serious case of frustration inside the organization just about the way that Jay Cutler played. In fact, I’m told they considered benching him against Tampa Bay when they were shut out; decided against it, mainly because Jimmy Clausen is their backup and he’s not good enough. If they trade Jay Cutler, they save $12.5 million against the cap next year. Certainly something to consider.”
It’s absolutely something to consider. The Bears are obviously stuck with him for now, but don’t be surprised if he’s gone by 2016, if this report is to believed. And there’s no reason you shouldn’t be believe this report, as it comes from one of the broadcast rights holders/business partners of the league.
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and writes The Sports Bank.net ,which is partners with Fox Sports. Read his feature stories in the Chicago Tribune RedEye edition. Listen to him on KOZN 1620 The Zone. Follow him on Twitter (@paulmbanks). His work has been featured in hundreds of media outlets including The Washington Post and ESPN 2