Is Jay Cutler ready to take his game to the next level?

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Dec 15, 2013; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) before playing against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

As the Chicago Bears approach the 2014 season all things point to success. However, there are still lingering questions about their starting quarterback Jay Cutler. It was inevitable that the Bears would sign Cutler to a long-term deal despite the success of backup Josh McCown in his absence due to injury. This move made it clear that second-year head coach Marc Trestman believes in the quarterback’s abilities, yet previous inconsistencies leave doubts in the minds of some. Cutler, often known for his big arm and gun-slinging ways, must prove in the 2014 season that he can lead the Bears deep into the playoffs in order to become real contenders in the talent stacked NFC. This road will more than likely go through Aaron Rodgers, and the Green Bay Packers as it has in prior seasons.

This season is in no doubt Cutler’s time to shine, an opportunity to show that he can lead his team to a championship and silence all the naysayers

The Packers seem to be Cutler’s kryptonite considering his individual performance in past games. His stats against the Green Bay defense have been sub par with only 1 out of 8 games won, 157 of 281 passing attempts, a total of 1,928 yards passing and 11 touchdowns against 17 interceptions. There is also the 2010 NFC Championship, when Cutler was heavily criticized for leaving the game due to a knee injury. The Packers won the game and went on to win Super Bowl XLV. To Cutler’s defense, in almost all of these games he was harassed by the Pacers’ defense, Clay Matthews in particular who has been the most disruptive. Little talent at the receiver position, a lackluster offensive line and poorly executed offensive game planning would have meant the destruction for any quarterback.