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Chicago Bears Roster Breakdown 2016: Offense

By Mike Curran

Nov 26, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; The Chicago Bears huddle during the NFL game against the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving at Lambeau Field. Chicago won 17-13. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; The Chicago Bears huddle during the NFL game against the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving at Lambeau Field. Chicago won 17-13. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 25, 2016; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterbacks Jay Cutler (6) and Ben LeCompte (2) during the OTA practice at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
May 25, 2016; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterbacks Jay Cutler (6) and Ben LeCompte (2) during the OTA practice at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /

Quarterback:

Projected starter: Jay Cutler

Has there ever been a Chicago athlete more polarizing than Jay Cutler? Ever a more divisive athlete among the fan base? There are those who love Jay and those who can not stand him at all. Only a rare few such as myself seem to think Cutler is a decent above average QB who will never be elite but is still a QB that teams can win with.

Depth: Brian Hoyer

Next: What's The Deal With Brian Hoyer?

Best Case: Despite the wide receiver group being decimated by injuries last year, Cutler had one of his best seasons with 21 TD’s to 11 INT’s and a QB rating of 92.3. His passing yards and TD’s were both down from the previous year but the reduction in INT’s is the improvement that Bears nation was hoping for. With his second year in the same system and a healthy, talented receiving core it’s perfectly reasonable to think that Cutler could improve on last year’s performance ranking as high as 8-10.

Worst Case: Though the offensive system is essentially the same, the loss of Adam Gase will most assuredly have an impact on play design, game planning, and play-calling. Early troubles on the offensive line during preseason action don’t bode too well for Cutlers protection or having an over-powering running game. There’s a scenario in play where the running game struggles, new offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains gets pass happy, the o-line can’t  pass protect, Cutler gets tons of pressure, and the interceptions start raining down on Soldier Field. This is the nightmare that keeps me up at night. That and binge watching “Stranger Things.”

Cap Hit: Jay Cutler (17 mil) and Brian Hoyer (2 mil). Jay Cutler’s contract this year comes with a 17 million dollar cap hit and ranks 16th among quarterbacks in the league. If his play this year matches or improves upon his play last year then Cutler will actually be getting paid what he’s worth and might even possibly be a bargain. Who would have thought that 2 years ago?

Projected 2016 Ranking: 12-15

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