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What is Jay Cutler’s Legacy as a Chicago Bear in one word?

By William "Wild Bill" Ingalls

Nov 13, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. The Buccaneers won 36-10. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. The Buccaneers won 36-10. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 22, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) reacts to a fumble during the second half against the Denver Broncos at Soldier Field. Denver won 17-15. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 22, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) reacts to a fumble during the second half against the Denver Broncos at Soldier Field. Denver won 17-15. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

Jay Cutler’s legacy in one word:

Throughout the injuries, offensive coordinators, lack of talent, and broken records, only one word can sum up Jay Cutler’s career in Chicago, failure.

Jay Cutler won meaningful games in Chicago. Jay Cutler brought stability to a position that hadn’t found a prosperity since the 60’s in Chicago. Jay Cutler will go down as the best Bear’s quarterback to ever put on the orange and blue. Unfortunately, his legacy will always be considered a failure.

Any team that trades away two first round picks and then some in exchange for only one playoff win in eight years must consider the trade a failure. Regardless of the talent and coaching issues around him, any player that warrants two first round picks should rise to the occasion.

The narrative of Jay Cutler will always maintain some form of ambiguity. The amount of “what ifs” in Cutler’s story are hard to quantify. What if Cutler didn’t get hurt in 2011? What if the Bears made the playoffs in 2012? What if Cutler had more continuity with his offensive coordinators? What if Chris Conte didn’t blow the coverage which lead to the Bears missing the playoffs in 2013?

However, the NFL is a game of reality, not fantasy. Cutler’s legacy doesn’t receive the benefits of what ifs. Jay Cutler’s legacy as a Chicago Bear is, and always will be a failure.

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