Chicago Bears: Jay Cutler is the franchise’s best QB; deal with it

Jay Cutler never quite lived up to expectations as the quarterback of the Chicago Bears. That doesn’t mean he still isn’t the best quarterback in franchise history.

Imagine that: nine years ago, we were buzzing with excitement because the Chicago Bears had just traded for Jay Cutler.

That’s right: we LOVED it. Well, okay, maybe not everyone loved it. But if you’re being honest with yourself, you probably at least were mildly excited even if a bit shocked.

Sure, Kyle Orton was okay, but he wasn’t a world-beater. Dealing him, along with three draft picks (including two first-rounders) would be worth it for a true franchise quarterback.

We were all awaiting the coming of Captain Jerk-Face with rapt attention, imagining dominating the Green Bay Packers, Super Bowl titles, possible MVPs, you name it.

And why not? The man was just coming off a 2008 season in which he’d made the Pro Bowl, throwing for 4,526 yards and 25 touchdowns.

He was only 26 yards old, with time perhaps to rein in his gunslinger tendencies.

And he had an arm that you just couldn’t teach. It was going to be like having our own version of Brett Favre. Right?

Well, yeah…I guess that didn’t really work out in the end, did it?

Cutler only beat the Packers twice in 13 games with the Bears and became a lightning rod for criticism for his exit with a knee injury in the 2010 NFC Championship.

He never did fully mature as a quarterback, tossing 109 interceptions in his eight seasons in Chicago.

And as much talent as he had, he only led the Bears to that one division title and conference championship appearance. In fact, that was their only playoff berth during his tenure, period.

Plus, Cutler was no Mitchell Trubisky in terms of his likeability, as we all know. No really need to recount all that; it’s well-documented.

And yet, Cutler still ranks at the head of the Chicago Bears franchise in passing yards (23,443) and touchdown passes (154). Furthermore, he is first in completion percentage and quarterback rating (?!) for Bears passes with more than 500 career attempts (61.8% and 85.2, respectively).

Obviously, that speaks more to the dearth of great Chicago Bears quarterbacking than anything else. For a franchise like the Packers or the Indianapolis Colts, Cutler wouldn’t sniff the top of any category.

And given his attitude and penchant for big mistakes, plenty of Bears fans grew to despise him with a dislike beyond perhaps what his play really merited.

So, in looking back on that fateful trade, is it too much to ask that we see Cutler for what he was: a flawed yet decent NFL quarterback?

If you’re one of the people who view Cutler as one of the worst in Chicago Bears, or even NFL history, then I’m not sure what to say to other than…sorry, but you’re incorrect. I don’t need to try to reason with that opinion or understand it; it’s just wrong.

Think of some of the games he won or kept the Bears in through sheer talent. Remember all the times he got his head bounced off the turf and played on, especially before you question his toughness. And remember the fact that, in the end, Cutler was simply better than Jim McMahon and Sid Luckman.

Was McMahon a greater winner? Of course. Was he better at football? Not a chance.

However, I’m also very aware that someone of Cutler’s talent level probably should’ve been better than he was here.

Some of that might’ve had to do with having really terrible offensive coaching for much of his Bears career and subpar weaponry at times (those Johnny Knox–Devin Hester years…). But the unconscionable back-foot throws and inviting sacks from holding onto the ball too long? Yeah…that was on him.

More from Da Windy City

• Juan Soto appears headed to the Yankees which is not a big blow Chicago Cubs offseason
• 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

Still, as disappointing as it was to realize that Cutler was basically just an average quarterback with Chicago, that’s exactly what he was: average.

Nothing illustrates that better than his 51-51 record with the Chicago Bears. That’s right: perfectly even. Perfectly average.

In case you were wondering, it’s hard for really bad quarterbacks to split 102 games equally over eight seasons.

And you know what? As much as Bears fans don’t like it, “average” is good as far as Chicago Bears quarterbacks go. That’s just how it’s been for the last 98 seasons of football. And an average quarterback clearly sits as the best quarterback in your franchise.

Next: Draft Day trades for Bears to consider?

Hopefully, Trubisky can change all that with a long, illustrious Bears career. Who wouldn’t love that?

But for right now, Cutler’s the best quarterback the Chicago Bears have ever had.

You might not like it. You might not want to accept it. And the thought of how excited you were when that trade happened versus how things turned out might fill you with anger and disappointment.

But for now, too bad. Deal with it.

Could Jay Cutler have left behind a more Cutler-esque Bears legacy? Probably not.