Dec 15, 2013; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) walks off the field after defeating the Cleveland Browns 38-31 at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Marc Trestman is a quarterback whisperer. There is no other way around it.
Trestman was at the edge of the biggest coaching decision of his young NFL Head Coaching career; play the hot handed QB or go back to the star QB who was playing pretty darned well himself before he was injured 4 weeks ago.
This is why Trestman is paid the big bucks…
If not for the dysfunction in Washington, New York (both the Giants and Jets), the ridiculous day by RB Jamaal Charles (5 Touchdowns!) and the absolute utter collapse in Dallas, the play of the Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler would be the top story out of Sunday’s games.
Jay Cutler was back at under center for the Bears in his first start since November 10 vs the Detroit Lions.
Unlike previous years, when the Bears backup QB has played like garbage and the Bears playoff hopes have gone up in smoke; Josh McCown was playing like a franchise QB and had some of the best numbers in the NFL including the top QBR that ESPN likes so much more than the regular QB rating system.
There was controversy.
Most fans and many talking heads thought the Bears should “ride the hot hand” and continue playing McCown; especially after torching the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football last week and being named NFC Offensive Player of the Week.
The controversy did not involve the coaching staff.
Instead, Marc Trestman followed the plan that had been put in place and reinserted Jay Cutler as the starter.
There were reports that not everyone within the Bears organization was on board with the move, especially since the team’s playoff chances were on the line. But that didn’t matter.