Jay Cutler’s First Goal: Beat the Pack

By Matt Gentile

When the Chicago Bears acquired Jay Cutler in 2009, it was clear from the get-go the team was finally turning a page by getting a franchise caliber quarterback.

There have been some hiccups since his arrival, including 26 interceptions in his first season with Chicago. But even his biggest doubters have to acknowledge that Cutler does fit the bill as a franchise quarterback. He’s overcome a sub par receiving core, questionable play calling and an offensive line that has gotten him sacked 110 times since 2009.

Cutler has a 24-17 record as the Bears starter and took them to the NFC Championship game in the 2010 season. He also was playing his best football as a signal caller last year, leading the team to a 7-3 start before heading to the injured reserve with a broken thumb. Without him, the Bears stumbled to a 1-5 finish.

With Cutler healthy and some new weapons in tow, that classic Dave Wannstedt line about the pieces being in place might actually apply.

It’s time for Cutler and the Bears to put it all together. But the biggest stepping stone to achieving elite status and winning the Super Bowl are those pesky neighbors to the north.

The Green BayPackers.

Not a prophetic statement. Every analyst and football fan across the nation knows that the Packers are an elite team with an elite quarterback. In fact, they’re probably the reason Phil Emery is now in charge at Halas Hall and there is an even bigger emphasis on talent evaluation.

The Packers are everything the Bears want to be. Explosive on offense and good enough on defense. A formula for success in today’s NFL.

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Aaron Rodgers is perhaps the best quarterback in the NFL. Since taking over for Brett Favre in 2008, he’s 41-21 with 131 touchdowns, 105 passer rating, three consecutive playoff appearances, an MVP award and a Super Bowl ring.

And that is who Cutler has had to deal with since arriving in 2009.

His record against Rodgers and the Pack? A meager 1-5 including the 2010 NFC Championship game. And the stats show his constant struggle against Green Bay. Cutler has thrown six touchdowns to an alarming 12 interceptions with a paltry 59.3 passer rating.

For Cutler to emerge as an elite quarterback and take the Bears deep into the post season, he has to overcome that cheese laden hurdle. This year could be the season that he shakes off the Packers.

Let’s face it. Green Bay’s defense has dropped off as a top unit. Last season, the Packers ranked last in total defense and had the worst passing defense in the NFL. They’ve upgraded with younger pieces, but most of the players remain the same.

Emery and crew also stocked the barracks full of weapons for Cutler, acquiring pro bowl wide receiver Brandon Marshall from the Miami Dolphins, drafting rookie wide out Alshon Jeffrey from South Carolina and inking free agent running back Michael Bush.

The offensive line is still in flux, but Cutler has a play caller in Mike Tice and a quarterback coach in Jeremy Bates that are likely to suit his strengths. Bears fans will see more three step drops, quick slants and roll outs, all things former offensive coordinator Mike Martz wasn’t keen on doing.

Expectations shouldn’t be low. The Bears and Cutler need to beat Green Bay to get to where they want to go. Face it. Winning the division isn’t achievable without doing it. Making it through the playoffs won’t happen without beating the Packers. And Cutler’s progression depends on it. 

With the pieces in place, there are no excuses.