With tensions growing between players and coaches in Chicago following a poor start to the season, punctuated by more turnover-prone play from Jay Cutler, the quarterback is once again under fire. Some on the team debated the severity of Cutler's thumb injury suffered Monday night, sources said, which led to some hostilities between offensive and defensive coaches, but Cutler has pushed hard to start this week despite being unable to practice.
Cutler has been trying to convince the coaches he can play despite the injury, with backup quarterback Brian Hoyer getting the starting reps in the meantime. While some have reported Cutler's injury would force him to miss at least two weeks, the quarterback has fought that projection internally and aims to miss no more than one game.
Cutler is in essence playing for his tenure in Chicago. The guaranteed money on his latest deal expires after this season, allowing the Bears to easily move on from him if they so desire. He is scheduled to make $15 million next season with a $16 million cap hit -- not unreasonable figures for a starting quarterback. But given the tumult during his long stint there, and the fact that young GM Ryan Pace inherited his contract, a change in quarterback in Chicago next season would come as no surprise in league circles.
