It’s early in the afternoon on a Tuesday in mid-June, with the Chicago Bears having just closed the first padless practice of their mandatory three-day veteran’s minicamp, and Jay Cutleris uncharacteristically relaxed and at ease.
Expectations for Cutler have gradually approached sea level from their astronomic provenance, as Chicago shuffled through four offensive coordinators in his six seasons as a Bear. Yet positivity permeates 1920 Football Dr., as John Fox and offensive coordinator Adam Gase are the last hope to refine Cutler’s preternatural gifts.
“I’ve known some of these coaches throughout my career. They’ve had a lot of success in this league and they’re trying to bring it here,” Cutler said, analyzing his comfortability level before this season versus the last one.
Two offseasons ago, former general manager Phil Emery took a chance on Marc Trestman’s reputation as a quarterback Svengali. But the transfusion of Trestman’s West Coast offense into Chicago’s gritty blood type from Lovie Smith’s ground-and-pound attack was rejected.
Their inaugural season together ended with backup Josh McCown putting the Bears on the playoffs ledge before retreating, as Cutler returned to lose two of his last three. In the ruins of that inauspicious season, Bears brass remained so bullish on Cutler that they slid him a seven-year deal worth $126.7 million and guaranteed $54 million.
But then a 3.9 QBR on Monday Night Football against the Saints’ 31st-ranked defense in mid-December spelled the end. Soon after, Trestman put Cutler out to pasture and handed Jimmy Clausen the reins.
There’s always been a disconnect between the man, myth, legend and his game-day execution. Cutler has only been to a single Pro Bowl in nine years. He’s reached the playoffs just once. Among active quarterbacks, he’s 25th in interception percentage (percentage of times intercepted per pass).
