As expected, Jay Cutler and the Chicago Bears dominated the subject matter on the Sunday morning NFL talking head shows, and Troy Aikman had one of the best takes. Despite the albatross of all albatrosses that is the Cutler contract, Aikman thinks #6 won’t be returning to the Bears.
This of course complements the NFL Network, which reported that the Tennessee Titans have already explored a trade for Cutler (more on this here).
Troy Aikman, who called the Bears loss to the Detroit Lions today in Chicago, addressing the Bears’ benching of quarterback Jay Cutler this week in favor of Jimmy Clausen:
“I think you have to go back to last year. When Marc Trestman came in, they changed the offense, it’s very rhythmic in what they’re asked to do and I think it’s quarterback-friendly. Jay Cutler was making strides prior to getting injured and then Josh McCown stepped in and played exceptionally well.
“When Cutler came back off of the injury, he did not play as well or make as much progress at the end of last season. Then, throughout the offseason as they moved through to this year, there have been just way too many turnovers and the offense is not getting it done. I think this decision is more indicative of what he is as a leader and what he is in the locker room, more so than performance.”
“I know what Marc Trestman has said; he said this decision was performance-based. But you’ve got to believe that if it was Drew Brees, Peyton Manning or Tom Brady that had just signed this contract, regardless of how poorly he had played up to this point, you would stick with him, just believing that he is going to get it turned around. I don’t expect Jay Cutler to be back in a Bears uniform and whether or not Trestman had anything to do with the decision to sign him to the long-term contract, is really up for discussion, because he shed no light on it when we had an opportunity to talk to him on Friday.
“I happen to think a lot of Marc Trestman and what he does with an offense. Jay Cutler has now had four different play-callers, four different offensive systems and yet the results have essentially been the same. I don’t really know what the future is for Jay Cutler or if someone is going to take a chance on him as a franchise guy anywhere in this league.”
We know the Bears are a dysfunctional organization, from top to bottom. There are deep rooted systemic problems all over. It’s basically fertile ground for a future ESPN 30 for 30 now:
“What if I told you, the quarterback inspired the offensive coordinator to cry?”
Only Bears Offensive Coordinator Aaron Kromer knows why Aaron Kromer did what he did to his quarterback Jay Cutler.
You know one of these men (Aaron Kromer, obviously) is not returning to Chicago next year. Almost every Bears fan alive is hoping that Cutler will also be jettisoned.
By the way, if you’re wondering why Aaron Kromer even has a job today, here’s the NFLN theory on what’s behind that too.
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