Over the last decade in Chicago Bears football, there have plenty of low moments and plays on the field that make every fan cringe when brought to light. Arguably the most infamous moment that took place during the regular season, over the last decade is the ending of the Bears-Packers season finale in 2013.
With just 46 seconds left in the game and the Packers season on the line with a 4th-and-8, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers avoided the pressure and heaved a deep pass to wide receiver Randall Cobb, who had gotten by safety Chris Conte for the go-ahead score, sending the Packers to the playoffs with a 33-28 victory.
The Bears were left at home after the shocking loss and Conte became public enemy No. 1 in the days that ensued, receiving hate messages and even death threats via social media. But according to former Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, Conte wasn’t at fault for the score.
Speaking with fellow teammate and former Bears tight end Zach Miller on Cutler’s podcast Uncut with Jay Cutler, the two former players went through Miller’s journey to the Bears, starting when he was signed in 2013 prior to that regular-season finale.
The infamous play came up in conversation and Cutler decided to explain it and why he believes Conte shouldn’t be blamed:
“We had a zero blitz and Aaron [Rodgers] scooted left and hit Randall Cobb, which the safety [Chris] Conte got absolutely blistered for that. For anyone watching, you call zero blitz, everyone is coming and you’re literally just man-to-man, no one behind, no safety coverage, nothing. And technically you’re bringing more than the offense can block so someone is free, someone should get home. That’s what you dialed up for.
“To pin it on Chris was absolutely absurd. It should be ‘one thousand one, one thousand two, one thou-‘ and the ball’s out. It has to be gone or you’re sacked. It’s nobody’s fault, Aaron is an unbelievable player and he’s seen zero a million times like a lot of us have. He’s athletic so he got out of it and it just happened.”
Cutler, who threw two touchdowns and one interception in that game, likely won’t change many Bears fan’s minds as Conte is still one of the most disliked players in recent memory. But the former quarterback does his best to defend his former teammate and shine some light on what happened during that play. Keep in mind Rodgers was nearly sacked by former All-Pro defensive end Julius Peppers, which would have ended the game.
Does Cutler have a point? Or do you still blame Conte entirely for the loss all these years later? Watch for yourself, at your own risk of course.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXq8C5sbRzU
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