If Bears Are Serious About Making Playoffs, They Have to Stick with McCown

Nov 17, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears injured quarterback Jay Cutler (left) looks on as quarterback Josh McCown (12) warms up before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Bears have been coy about Jay Cutler’s status ever since he returned prematurely for the Detroit Lions game with a torn groin.  (It still hurts to write that).  Whether he reaggravated the groin or suffered a high ankle sprain, he hasn’t been able to get himself back on the field for the last few weeks.  Over the last couple of seasons, that was a death knell for the Bears season, another playoff-less season.  This season, something different is happening.  The Bears might very well miss the playoffs, but it won’t be because of what is going on under center.  Josh McCown has not just survived in replacing Cutler, he’s thrived.

For years, the backup quarterback was the most popular player on the Bears roster.  Ever since Jim McMahon’s days, Bears fans were always looking for the next guy to take the place of the current underachiever that was getting trotted out there.

When the Bears traded for Cutler in 2009, that was quelled for a little bit.  But the quarterback controversy is alive in well in Chicago, with Bears fans clamoring for McCown and pushing the most accomplished passer in their history out the door.

There is no quarterback controversy in the Bears locker room, with everyone from McCown to Trestman to the water boy citing, in Lovie Smith monotone , “Jay is our quarterback.”

The 2013 season looked like everything was finally coming up aces for Cutler – a new quarterback-friendly, offensive minded head coach, a rebuilt offensive line, a pass catching tight end and more weapons than ever.  Yet it hasn’t happened for Cutler, this time his crucial “make or break” season upended thanks to a couple of injuries that have kept him off the field.