Over the past two years that I’ve been affiliated with the Crimson J, I wrote articles involving the Chicago Bears starting quarterback Jay Cutler and whether or not he is an elite QB or just another scrub. For the past two years, I’ve defended Cutler, and might I say, I was wrong in doing so from the start. I feel as if I should at least clear the air and address the “elephant in the room.”

I will say this bluntly: Jay Cutler is the WORST quarterback in the NFL. I am by no means saying this based on his skills but on overall leadership because once upon a time, Cutler could dazzle fans with spectacular plays; however, that time has passed. He has become a symbol of ineptitude in the city of Chicago. I question nowadays if Cutler actually cares about winning. I mean, most of the time, I think he likes passing the ball more to the other team than his own. He is not a leader. In fact, you could ask any of his former teammates, and they will tell you flat out that they would not back him; he is not a locker room leader.

On January 2, 2014, Jay Cutler signed a seven-year deal worth 126.7 million dollars to keep him in Chicago until the year 2020. This sickened Bears’ fans throughout the country, including myself. While watching the Bears play during Cutler’s tenure, I don’t think I have ever seen him look like he is even into the game, ever. He consistently looks like he just woke up 20 minutes before the game, or better yet, he looks as if he is under the influence. The only time I think I have ever seen him smile was while he was signing that awful contract extension, dooming the franchise in the process.

After Cutler left the MNF game against the Eagles, a story popped up on profootballrumors.com about whether the Bears should part ways with Cutler in the offseason. When I saw this, I almost fell on the floor laughing at how ridiculous the article was. So, naturally, I had to comment on it. I said, “Send him Packing!!! He is the WORST QB in the NFL.” I was almost immediately faced with another fan saying I was full of it. However, as time went on, I was slowly being backed up. I ended my feed with this comment after a fan asked me why I thought he is the worst QB, “The reason why he is the worst is that he isn’t a leader. He gives up on his team when he is getting blown out of the water (i.e. NFC Championship several years ago, also MNF game last night). Leadership overshadows skills, especially in this case. Most players who played with Cutler at one time say he is not a leader now that they are gone. Stephen A. Smith and the guys on First Take hit the nail right on the head when discussing this exact same topic.” I also included with a bit of hyperbole, “I, personally, would rather have RGIII, or even, dare I say it, Timmy Tebow as my starter than Cutler right now…” I would rather have Robert Griffin III as my starter over Cutler, that is the truth, the hyperbole was including Tim Tebow, as we are not to that point yet, getting close, but not yet.

Finally, I know that I could be a little harsh on this subject. However, it is hard not to be. The reasoning as to why the Bears are undecided is baffling to me. Why keep a quarterback that has been a symbol of ineptitude in Chicago for 10 years? Dump him. It is that simple. Normally, as the saying goes, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”…But it is broke. It has been broke since 2010. Fix it. Cutler is what is called a “three-coach QB” meaning that he has been the QB through three coaching regimes. Obviously, something is wrong here. If the Bears should decide to get rid of him, they should look either to the draft for his replacement or to the New England Patriots where a young QB named Jimmy Garoppolo will rot away on the bench behind a 38-year old Tom Brady, who will be elite for another three or four years, but that is another argument for another time. It is evident that the Bears need a change at the helm of their offense.