National Analysts line up to criticize Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler
Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler has never made many friends within the media and that has never been more obvious than during Super Bowl Week.
The writing is on the wall for the Chicago Bears and quarterback Jay Cutler.
The time has come for the Bears and Cutler to part ways. With no more guaranteed money remaining on Cutler’s contract, the time has never been more right for the Bears to part ways with the polarizing quarterback.
More from Da Windy City
- 3 takeaways from Chicago Blackhawks shootout loss to Nashville
- Chicago Cubs in the middle of chaos that is Shohei Ohtani’s free agency
- The Chicago Cubs are on a roller coaster of emotions chasing Shohei Ohtani
- Chicago Bears quietly compiling list of head coaching candidates
- Chicago White Sox News: Erick Fedde signs two-year deal
Cutler has had eight years to try and live up to the lofty expectations that were bestowed upon him when he was acquired by the Bears in a 2009 trade with the Denver Broncos. The only thing that Cutler has to show for his eight seasons in Chicago is a large sum of money and only one playoff appearance.
Therefore, it comes as no surprise that many national analysts believe that the Bears need to move on from Cutler this off-season.
Fox broadcaster and former Dallas Cowboys’ quarterback Troy Aikman did not have a clear answer on what the Bears should do but indicated that Cutler’s best days with the team may be in the past.
“What do the Bears need to do? Man, I don’t know,” Aikman said. “I know they had something good going with Adam Gase when he was there and Jay (Cutler) has been through a number of coordinators and that certainly hasn’t helped.”
Former Chicago Bears’ cornerback and current Fox analyst Charles Tillman believes that both sides know that a separation is coming.
“I think they will probably find a new (quarterback),” Tillman said. “The writing is on the wall. They might have to part ways. Eight years is a long time. … He probably knows that. They probably know that.”
More from Chicago Bears
- Chicago Bears quietly compiling list of head coaching candidates
- Next Chicago Bears starting quarterback makes Bowl Game decision
- Chicago Bears appear in the hunt while on track for the first pick
- Chicago Bears: They are who we thought they were
- Chicago Bears Rumors: Kevin Warren to oversee football operations
Hall of Fame quarterback Terry Bradshaw was a little less subtle when talking about Cutler’s status with the Bears.
“I don’t like Cutler either. … It’s time for him to go,” Bradshaw said. “… I said on the air one day watching him, ‘You know what, Jay? You’ve got a gorgeous wife. Beautiful kids. You’re making $20 million a year. How about a smile?’
“ ‘That’s a damn good job playing quarterback in the NFL, huh? How about a little excitement? How about something from you?’
“He’s just not an upper-echelon quarterback. He just isn’t. He hasn’t proven it. He can’t carry a team. He never has. End of story.
Meanwhile, Hall of Fame head coach Jimmy Johnson sees the talent that Cutler has but realizes that there is a need for change in Chicago.
“Woo,” Johnson said. “The Bears? Cutler has had a lot of opportunities with a lot of coaches. And there is a reason why he’s had a lot of different opportunities with a lot of different coaches. He hasn’t been successful with any of them. He is a very talented individual but for some reason they haven’t been able to get over the hump.
“I would say time for a new guy.”
With Cutler, there has never been a gray area. Bears’ fans have either defended Cutler until they were blue in the face or criticized him until there red in the face. However, that tone has changed over the course of the 2016 season.
Related Story: Five players that won't return to the Chicago Bears in 2017
Regardless of where fans and media members fall on the Cutler spectrum, there is universal agreement that the time has come for the Bears and Cutler to part ways. The Bears will likely spend the next month making a decision on Cutler. Though, if the speculation is to be believed, the Bears have already made that decision and Cutler will not return to the team for the 2017 season.