Jay Cutler could have returned in Week 15, broken every single quarterback record and there would still be questions regarding his future with the Chicago Bears. The team took the ball out of backup Josh McCown's hands and gave it back to Cutler who returned after multiple injuries left him out of the lineup for weeks. After a rough start, the Bears got the win, but questions are still lingering about what it all means for Cutler.
The veteran tossed two picks early in the game, leaving many to start panicking that McCown is the better option for the team if the Beats intend on getting into the postseason. However, Cutler settled himself and finished the day leading the Bears to a 38-31 win over the Cleveland Browns. Despite the two interceptions, Cutler finished the first half throwing 168 yards and a touchdown.
Despite the win, ESPN is reporting that several Bears players were not in support of the change at quarterback. McCown had been playing lights out in place of the veteran. As a starter, he threw for 1,271 yards, nine touchdowns and just one interception. His 109.8 passer rating ranked him third in the league. One player (naturally asking to remain nameless) said that Cutler had tossed multiple picks in practice leading up to Sunday's game and several players did not back him as the team's starter. One person remaining in support of Cutler is McCown despite having to take the backseat yet again.
"There was a lot swirling around this thing, building up to this week," McCown said, via ESPN.com. "You try to block it out as much as possible, but you understand it's out there. At the same time, we were focused on just getting this game. Understanding everything around it, then to start the way he did, I'm just very, very proud of him, man. Proud to call him my teammate, proud to call him our quarterback, and proud to call him my friend. What he did, just the resolve and the toughness to do what he did today is probably one of the most proud moments I've had this whole year."
Despite the two early picks, McCown said he had 100 percent faith in Cutler. He never believed that the starter would be pulled and he would be forced to enter the game. Cutler did enough to remain the starting quarterback for likely the rest of the season, but it still remains to be seen whether he has done enough to secure a long-term future in Chicago.