Despite setting career highs in completion percentage (66.0) and passing touchdowns (28) last year, Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler will be playing for his job in this upcoming season.
Considering all of the offensive talent around Cutler, the Bears badly underachieved on that side of the ball. They finished the 2014 season ranked 21st in yards per game (327.1), 23rd in points (19.9) and 15th in passing offense (237.0). Does that sound like a top notch offense to you?
While Cutler had some bad luck with wide receiver drops throughout the season, his 18 interceptions tied for the lead league. It's safe to say that if Cutler doesn't perform well this year then the Bears will be looking for his replacement in the very near future.
"Cutler's seat in Chicago isn't hot - it's on fire," ESPN Bears reporter Jeff Dickerson wrote. "After six years in a Bears uniform, Cutler enters what could be his final season in Chicago. Cutler is on his third general manager, third head coach and fifth offensive coordinator since the Bears traded for him in 2009. Cutler has guided the Bears to the playoffs one time (2010), yet received a lucrative extension in January 2014. Although the Bears talked trade with the Tennessee Titans prior to the draft, Cutler's contract killed any potential deals. From everything I understand, [John] Fox and offensive coordinator Adam Gase definitely want to make it work with Cutler, who even at 32 years old possesses an elite arm. However, Cutler no longer holds any influence over the front office or coaching staff. If Cutler plays well in 2015, great. If he struggles, the Bears will move on, quickly."
Although it's early, the Bears have been linked to Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg in the 2016 NFL Draft. Then again, so have a handful of other teams including the New York Jets and Washington Redskins.
Whether or not those rumors prove to be true will depend on Cutler's performance in 2015.
