Tag: Jay Cutler

NBC Sports re-airing Bears vs. Packers from Thanksgiving 2015

Bears fans can re-live the team’s 17-14 upset victory over the hated Packers on Brett Favre Night from Thanksgiving 2015 on NBC Sports.

It’s only fitting that on the anniversary of the Chicago Bears trading for the closest thing they’ve had to a franchise quarterback in decades, with Jay Cutler, that NBC Sports is re-airing a classic featuring one of Cutler’s two wins over the rival Green Bay Packers.

As part of NBC Sports’ Football Week in America, the network is airing an encore of the Bears’ 2015 Thanksgiving night victory over the hated Packers at Lambeau Field starting at 8:30 p.m. CT.

The Bears’ struggles against the Packers — particularly over the last decade — are well noted. Chicago has only beaten Green Bay four times during the 20 times that the two teams have faced each over the last 10 years.

But on this night — Brett Favre Night, of all nights — the Bears were able to stun the Packers 17-14 to cap off Thanksgiving evening.

The Bears defense were the MVPs of the game, especially in the game’s final minute. They forced four straight Aaron Rodgers incompletions and clinched the victory when Rodgers failed to find receiver Davante Adams in the endzone with :22 remaining.

As for Cutler, he completed 19 of 31 passes for 200 yards with 1 TD, no interceptions and a 90.8 passer rating. The Bears offense didn’t commit a single turnover in a rainy Thanksgiving outing.

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Looking back at the Jay Cutler trade 11 years ago today

Let’s take a look at the trade that went down in 2009, and the career that QB Jay Cutler had as a Chicago Bear.

Eleven years ago today, the Chicago Bears traded for quarterback Jay Cutler. Let’s look back at the trade that went down in 2009, and the career that Cutler had with the Bears.

In early 2009, the Bears traded Kyle Orton, a pair of first-round picks and a third-round pick to the Denver Broncos for their hopeful franchise quarterback in Cutler.

By comparison, during Orton’s three seasons with the Bears, he had a record of 21-12, while Cutler had a record of 17-20 in his first three seasons in Denver.

Orton was a proven winner here in Chicago, and Cutler had a bit of an attitude and seemed like he didn’t get along with the coaches in Denver, so maybe the trade was a little questionable at the time.

In his first season in 2009, Cutler threw for 3,666 yards, 27 touchdowns and 26 interceptions, while starting all 16 games. Ouch. It wasn’t the first year in Chicago many hoped for Cutler. The Bears went 7-9 and ended up missing the playoffs, and the Broncos ended up going 8-8 and also missing the playoffs. So you could call it a draw for both teams in the first year of the trade.

In 2010, it seemed like Cutler was a completely different quarterback, as he led the Bears to an 11-5 record, and they ended up winning the NFC North. In 15 games, Cutler threw for 3,274 yards, 23 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. That was a 10 interception drop-off that he had in 2009, which was a huge improvement.

Then in 2011, Cutler suffered an injury that cut short what was playing out to be a magical season when he broke his thumb against the Chargers. In 10 games, he threw for 13 touchdowns and 7 interceptions with a 7-3 record. Instead of a return trip to the playoffs, Chicago finished with an 8-8 record and were left wondering what could’ve been if Cutler had stayed healthy.

The Bears traded for Broncos receiver Brandon Marshall in 2012. Marshall and Cutler played together in Denver from 2006-2008, and they were reunited in Chicago.

Cutler ended up missing the ninth game in 2012 after getting hit hard during the Houston Texans game. The Bears ended up finishing 10-6 and still found a way to miss the playoffs. The 2012 season ended up being the last year for Lovie Smith as Bears head coach after nine years with the team, which included a Super Bowl appearance in 2006.

General manager Phil Emery quickly found a replacement for Smith, hiring offensive guru Marc Trestman in 2013. Trestman was a part of Steve Young and the 49ers’ success in the ’90s and he has won championships in the Canadian football league.

Cutler once again struggled with injury in 2013, where he only played in 11 games. He threw for 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions while leading the Bears to a 5-6 record. Entering Week 17, the Bears and Packers matched up for the last game of the regular season, the Packers were 7-7-1 and the Bears had a record of 8-7. The Packers delivered a brutal 33-28 defeat, and the Bears missed the playoffs with an 8-8 record in Trestman’s first year as head coach.

In 2014, Cutler went 5-10 as the starter, he threw for 3,812 yards, 28 touchdowns and 18 interceptions. The Bears missed the playoffs with a 5-11 record. After only two seasons, Trestman would end up getting fired.

In 2015, changes were needed for this Bears’ team. They would find a new general manager in Ryan Pace, a new head coach in John Fox and Marshall and Martellus Bennet would leave the team.

In Cutler’s final two years with the Bears in 2015 and 2016, he started 20 games, throwing for 4,718 yards, 25 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. The Bears ended up missing the playoffs in Cutler’s last two years, with records of 6-10 in 2015 and 3-13 in 2016.

During the 2017 offseason, the Bears held the third overall pick in the NFL Draft, and Bears’ fans know how that turned out as Pace would trade up from the third overall pick to the second overall pick to draft Mitchell Trubisky. Still a questionable move to this day on why Pace traded so many future picks just to move up one spot.

Even before drafting Trubisky, Cutler’s career as a Bear came to an end. He spent eight seasons in Chicago, leading them to a 51-51 record as starter, throwing for 154 touchdowns and 109 interceptions. But during those eight years, the Bears only made the playoffs once.

Seeing Cutler play with guys like Matt Forte, Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffery, Devin Hester, and Johhny Knox, to name a few, was exciting.

Cutler was by far one of my favorite Bears. When the Bears traded for Cutler, how did you feel? Did you like the trade? What was your favorite moment?

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ESPN needs to do us all a favor and go sign Jay Cutler for MNF

We need more of Jay Cutler in our lives.

This is the online version of our daily newsletter, The Morning Win. Subscribe to get irreverent and incisive sports stories, delivered to your mailbox every morning.

There are far more serious issues in the world to be focusing on right now but let’s leave that very serious stuff alone for a bit and put all of our focus on a move that ESPN could pull off that would make all of our lives so much better in the fall, that is if there are NFL games being played.

I’m talking, of course, about ESPN chipping away a bunch of money and offering it to the legendary Jay Cutler to become the new color analyst on Monday Night Football.

My first pick for this position was Peyton Manning, but he has reportedly turned down ESPN yet again.

So there is now only one man who could turn our Monday nights in the fall and early winter to gold, and that’s Cutler. Have you seen how big of a star he has become on that reality show with his wife? He’s basically the Smoking Jay Cutler meme come to life, just without the smoking.

We were so close to having this gold every Sunday a few years ago but the Dolphins stole Cutler away from Fox Sports right before the season was going to start and right before his broadcast career was set to begin.

Thanks for nothing, Dolphins!

But now is a perfect time to bring Cutler back to TV in a spot where he could really have a chance to shine. The world has obviously fallen in love with Cutler’s who-gives-a-you-know-what attitude and would eat up this news if it were to happen.

Could you imagine Cutler philosophizing every week on national TV while calling a sport that he used to kind of enjoy?

That would make us forget all about the the days of Booger McFarland and Jason Witten that we’ve had to experience over the past few years on MNF, which has been brutal.

Cutler has it all – he’s a former QB who knows how offenses work, he seems to be aware of how to entertain people with simple language, and he has the perfect amount of not caring about almost everything.

What’s not to love!?

That’s what MNF these days is made for – the games are usually far from the marquee game of the week so we could use some help to keep us entertained for those three hours each week.

Jay Cutler. MNF. A match made in absolute football heaven.

Make it happen, ESPN.

We could use some good news in our lives right now!

The Rams debuted their new logos and it didn’t go well.

So the Rams had like two weeks to update their new logos after it got leaked online and got slammed by fans… and they decided to just roll with it. The team unveiled its new logos (one of them isn’t too bad) on Monday and got crushed again by fans. It also appears as if the Rams stole the logo of a small Texas college. So much creativity!

Quick hits: Office Week begins… NHL player’s cool TP delivery… Cowboys star retires… And more!

– We kicked off our celebration of “Office Week” on Monday with 8 fun facts you might not know about the show. I’m sure you’ve been binging this classic show lately, so you’re gonna love our coverage this week.

– Here are is the definitive ranking of the 24 best sports moments from “The Office.”

– Los Angeles Kings star Jeff Carter had a special toilet paper delivery from a teammate who used a drone to drop off the goods.

– Dallas Cowboys fans paid heartfelt tributes to Travis Frederick after the five-time Pro Bowler announced his retirement at age 29.

– Lionel Messi and other soccer stars are doing the “Toilet Paper Challenge” while stuck at home… and so did our Charles Curtis.

– Joe Buck is about to show everyone why he really is the GOAT.

Bears had 23 starting QBs during Tom Brady era in New England

Quarterback is the one position that has snakebitten the Bears most in their 100-year history.

This isn’t going to be an easy pill to swallow for Bears fans. Then again, poor quarterback play has become expected with this franchise, especially in recent memory.

Tom Brady made a splash in free agency choosing to sign with the Buccaneers, which marked the end of an era in New England. Brady spent his first 20 seasons with the Patriots, and during that time the Bears have seen an influx of starting quarterbacks.

Chicago has had 23 different starting quarterbacks since the start of the Brady era in New England in 2001.

The Bears trail only the Browns for the most starting quarterbacks during the Brady era in New England.

Let’s take a look at those starting quarterbacks:

  • Jim Miller
  • Shane Matthews
  • Chris Chandler
  • Henry Burris
  • Kordell Stewart
  • Rex Grossman
  • Craig Krenzel
  • Chad Hutchinson
  • Jonathan Quinn
  • Kyle Orton
  • Brian Griese
  • Jay Cutler
  • Todd Collins
  • Caleb Hanie
  • Josh McCown
  • Jason Campbell
  • Jimmy Clausen
  • Matt Barkley
  • Brian Hoyer
  • Mike Glennon
  • Mitchell Trubisky
  • Chase Daniel

Not exactly a reassuring list for a position that continues to plague the Bears. And that list might only continue to grow following the addition of Nick Foles, which could signal the end of the Mitchell Trubisky era in Chicago.

Wasn’t it easier when kicker was Chicago’s biggest concern?

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If there was a No. 7 seed, the Bears would’ve made the playoffs in 2011 and 2012

With the proposed new CBA, there would be a No. 7 seed in each conference. When it comes to the Bears, things could’ve been much different.

One of the changes with the NFL’s proposed new collective bargaining agreement is that the playoff teams will expand from 12 to 14. That means there would be seven playoff spots up for grabs in each conference.

Obviously that changes things moving forward in the NFL with a presumed third wild card team in the mix. But how would it have impacted the league over the last decade?

When it comes to the Bears, things could’ve been much different. First off, their

If the Bears made the playoffs in those three consecutive seasons (2010-2012), Lovie Smith would’ve retained his job as head coach, which means we would’ve escaped the Marc Trestman era. It also makes you believe that general manager Jerry Angelo would’ve survived for another couple of seasons with three consecutive playoff berths.

What about quarterback Jay Cutler? Would his entire trajectory with the Bears have been shifted with two additional playoff appearances? Cutler missed the final six games of the 2011 season with a broken right thumb. But Smith was confident Cutler would return in time for the playoffs.

Unfortunately, we’ll never know for sure how having a seventh playoff spot would’ve affected the Bears. But perhaps it’ll help them moving forward in the future — that is, if the NFLPA approves the new CBA.

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Jay Cutler wants to play handball in the Olympics

Former NFL quarterback Jay Cutler wants to be part of Team USA’s handball squad in the summer Olympics.

Jay Cutler, who spent the first three years of his career as the Broncos’ quarterback, apparently has the itch to continue playing sports. He retired from football in 2018 and now has a new interest: handball.

“I do want to get a team together, for the Olympics they have handball,” Cutler said during a recent appearance on Pardon My Take. “It’s basically like a little ball that you throw around and then throw into a goal.

“So it’s like soccer — indoor soccer — with a ball that you throw. There’s a U.S. team [and] like I want to go and do that. Just throwing missiles.”

If Cutler is serious about his quest to play handball, he should probably talk with former teammate Jake Plummer, who takes the sport pretty seriously.

Given that Denver benched Plummer during the 2006 season in favor of Cutler, a conversation between the two ex-QBs might be a little awkward, but it’s probably worth a shot if Cutler wants to break into the sport.

As for the Olympics, Cutler could probably help Team USA if he’s any good. The U.S. has never won a medal for handball at the Olympics.

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Jay Cutler on 2011 NFC Championship criticism: ‘That hurt’

Former Bears QB Jay Cutler spoke candidly about the criticism and questions regarding his toughness, saying they were difficult to deal with

It’s been a little over nine years since the Chicago Bears lost to the eventual Super Bowl-champion Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field in the 2011 NFC Championship game. The game was arguably the worst of the decade, as the Bears had to watch their bitter rival accept the George Halas trophy on their own turf after falling short of a comeback victory.

While the loss itself will always sting, the game is truly remembered for the controversy that ensued after halftime when Bears quarterback Jay Cutler was sidelined due to a knee sprain. Backup quarterback Todd Collins played two series, then made way for third-stringer Caleb Hanie, who rallied the Bears back but was unable to secure the win, ultimately losing 21-14.

Despite the team announcing Cutler’s knee injury, fans and former players alike torched the polarizing signal caller on social media, television, and radio for appearing to quit on his team during and after the game. Even today, the topic still comes up on occasion with people debating just how injured Cutler actually was, with no input from the quarterback himself. Until now.

Appearing on Barstool Sports’ Pardon My Take podcast, Cutler spoke candidly about the criticism and admitted the questions regarding his toughness were difficult to deal with.

“I’ve played through some crazy stuff. I mean, concussions, broken stuff, it just is what it is,” Cutler said. “For me to have that part questioned, that hurt, that was a tough one to swallow. To say that I wasn’t good or anything else, like, I’m fine with that, there may be some truth to that. But to say I didn’t want to play anymore?”

Cutler also discussed the process of attempting to work back into the game.

“It was right before halftime, we went in and taped it up,” he said. “I went out there and I tried to throw, I think I threw one ball and my knee literally just buckled and went straight into the ground. I was like ‘I don’t think I can throw, I don’t think I can run.'”

The Bears’ all-time passing leader did admit the optics of him sitting on the sideline weren’t great, and that he wasn’t sure whether to leave the field or not. But anyone who watched Cutler play during his eight-year career in Chicago knows how tough of a player he was. Not only that, the player who had the “don’t care” demeanor attached to him early truly showed how bothered he was by the comments and perception of his toughness.

Despite his revelation, however, fans will likely still debate this issue until the end of time. Do Cutler’s comments sway your opinion one way or the other?

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Jay Cutler’s advice to Mitchell Trubisky: ‘Don’t read anything. Go underground’

It’s not easy playing QB in Chicago. Just ask Jay Cutler, who for eight years dealt with harsh criticism involving his play and demeanor.

It’s not easy playing quarterback in the city of Chicago. Just ask Jay Cutler, who for eight years dealt with harsh criticism ranging from everything from his play to his leadership to his body language.

Cutler joined Barstool Sports’ “Pardon My Take” podcast, where he discussed an array of topics, including current Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, who is generating his own criticism, although for different reasons than Cutler.

“For a young guy like him, being in Chicago, it’s a tough town,” Cutler said. “Expectations were huge, so you watch some of his press conferences and stuff — you could tell it really bothered him sometimes, I think. Whether that affects him, I don’t know how it affects him. It has to somehow.

“The more he can get away from all that stuff, the better for him going forward.”

When Cutler was asked what advice he’d give Trubisky, he was quick and to the point.

“Oh goodness. …” Cutler said. “Don’t read anything … go underground here, bud.”

That’s funny considering Trubisky’s comments about turning the TVs off at Halas Hall went viral during the Bears’ four-game losing streak last season.

There’s a fine line between needing to be aware of what’s being said about you and distancing yourself from that. Cutler believes Trubisky shouldn’t seek out what’s being said about him, rather turn to the team’s public relations staff and leave it at that.

“I wouldn’t go online and find this stuff out,” Cutler said, “but go to their PR guy before a press conference and be like, ‘Alright, what do I need to know?’”

The criticism will only continue to grow around Trubisky, who is gearing up for his fourth season. Following a disastrous 2019 season, he’s certainly on the hot seat as the Bears are in win-now mode.

Maybe the Bears should keep the TVs off at Halas Hall in 2020.

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Bears haven’t played in divisional playoffs since 2011

The Bears haven’t played in the divisional playoffs since January 2011, when they defeated the Seahawks to advance to the NFC Championship.

The 2010s were not kind to Bears fans. Chicago made the playoffs just twice in 10 years, and won just one playoff game in that span.

As the NFL kicks off its divisional weekend, the Bears will once again be on the outside looking in, and it’s been like that for some time. The Bears haven’t played in the NFL divisional playoffs since Jan. 16, 2011, when they defeated the Seahawks 35-24 at Soldier Field to advance to the NFC Championship game.

The game wasn’t as close as the final score indicated, as the Bears jumped out to a 28-0 lead thanks to a suffocating effort by the defense and four offensive touchdowns, including three of Jay Cutler’s four touchdowns (two through the air and two on the ground).

The Bears would fall short of a Super Bowl appearance following a 21-14 loss to the Packers in the NFC Championship game.

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Ranking the top 20 Bears games of the decade

On the eve of a new decade, we’re counting down the Bears’ best games of this past decade — including some real blasts from the past.

Between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2019, the Chicago Bears played 164 games, including three playoff games, compiling a record of 78-86. Surprising playoff runs in 2010 and 2018 were sandwiched around lengthy stretches of mediocrity from 2013-2017, and fans were treated to a below-average product for much of the decade.

Still, there were quite a few bright spots for the NFL’s charter franchise during the last 10 years, including memorable games that provided thrilling victories. As a disappointing 2019 season concludes, let’s look back on some of the better games and moments the ’10s had to offer.

To kick off the next decade as we enter 2020, here are my top 20 Bears games from the 2010s.

20. 2019, Week 14, Cowboys at Bears

Bears 31 – Cowboys 24: Easily the best game of an otherwise disappointing season, the Bears offense came alive in primetime against the Cowboys, with quarterback Mitchell Trubisky accounting for all four touchdowns with his arm and legs in arguably his best game as a Bear. On defense, despite not creating a turnover, the unit frustrated the Cowboys offense all evening with QB pressures and excellent play from their secondary. The matchup was a pseudo-playoff game, with the Bears keeping their hopes alive for one more week in a complete-team win.

19. 2018, Week 8, Bears at Bills

Bears 41 – Bills 9: While the Buffalo Bills weren’t a powerhouse in 2018, the Bears defense still made their offense look completely inept in a blowout. Forcing four turnovers, including three interceptions from quarterback Nathan Peterman, the Bears scored twice on defense thanks to outside linebacker Leonard Floyd’s pick six and safety Eddie Jackson’s fumble recovery, and limited the Bills’ offense to just 264 yards. The reason this game isn’t higher on the list is due to the Bears offensive performance, as they gained just 190 yards.

 

18. 2011, Week 1, Falcons at Bears

Bears 30 – Falcons 12: No, this wasn’t the Bears-Falcons matchup that saw the debut of quarterback Mike Glennon, this was the first game following the Bears heartbreaking loss to the Packers in the NFC Championship game. Led by quarterback Jay Cutler, who threw for over 300 yards and two touchdowns, the Bears won convincingly against the reigning NFC South champions and held the Falcon offense to just six points. This game also featured an impressive performance from Hall of Fame linebacker Brian Urlacher, who had an interception and a fumble recovery for a score. The defense had a total of three takeaways and started the 2011 season with a bang.

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