Jay Cutler has always seemed to really like Jay Cutler.
Wednesday morning, during an appearance on ESPN 1000’s “Waddle & Silvy Show”, the Bears’ star seemed to reaffirm that sentiment. Cutler reacted to ESPN analyst Ron Jaworski’s ranking him as the 8th best quarterback in the NFL in rather predictable fashion.
“I’ve always liked Jaws, actually. I think he’s very fair,” Cutler said. “Yeah, I think it’s fair. I think we’ve got a lot of guys around me and I think that’s what makes a lot of quarterbacks: the guys around you. You can’t do it by yourself. The more talent you have around me, the better off you’re gonna be.”
In Cutler’s defense, there’s no doubt he’s a top 10 quarterback at this point in his career. He has every right to be proud of what he’s been able to accomplish so far as a Bear despite a lack of offensive weapons and a league-worst offensive line. But what Cutler also needs to recognize is that 6 of the 7 quarterbacks ahead of him on Jaworski’s list have won Super Bowls — Aaron Rodgers (1), Drew Brees (2), Tom Brady (3), Peyton Manning (4), Eli Manning (5) and Ben Roethlisberger (6). Cutler’s nemesis and fellow non-Super Bowl champ, Philip Rivers, came in at No. 7 on the list.
Long story short, Jay has some work to do.
Cutler’s right though about not being able to do it himself. But it’s not because of the other quarterbacks on Jaws’ list surrounding him. Cutler will need the likes of Gabe Carimi, Ja’Marcus Webb and the rest of the Bears’ oft-mediocre, oft-injured offensive linemen to help him eventually climb this list. He’ll also need to rediscover the chemistry he once had in Denver with his best buddy Brandon Marshall and utilize some of the new weapons that the Bears have provided specifically for him. And last, but perhaps most important, he’ll need to like his coaches and his fellow players as much as he likes himself.
If Jay Cutler can put all of that together for himself, he might just end up at No. 7 on Jaws’ list next year.