The Chicago Bears are playing against the Miami Dolphins on Thursday night and Jay Cutler will start the game with the first team offense for John Fox, while Jimmy Clausen, David Fales and Shane Carden could get time as they compete to be the backup quarterback and this comes as rookie Kevin White remains sidelined.
The Bears are hoping for a bounce back season from Cutler and new head coach John Fox brought over Adam Gase with him from Denver to help re-work the offense. Cutler put up solid offensive numbers last season, but he turned the ball over way too much and he could not keep the Bears offensive flowing at a consistent rate. But things have reportedly been going well for Cutler so far this summer, as the Chicago Tribune reports that Cutler had not thrown an interception in practice through August 11.
Cutler made it through 11 practices leading up the opening preseason game without throwing a pick and while it's only training camp, it's encouraging after what Cutler did last season. Cutler had 18 interceptions last year and six lost fumbles and he led the league in turnovers. Fox said to reporters that the starters would play "12 to 15" snaps in the first preseason game against the Dolphins. ESPN Chicago reports that the starters could play "through the first quarter" in the game at Soldier Field.
Cutler had 28 touchdowns last season to set a career high and he also set a mark for himself with a 66 percent completion rate. But overall the Bears had a losing record and the offense did not do enough to win games. The team has added Kevin White, Jacquizz Rodgers and Eddie Royal while bringing in a new coaching staff and GM and now Chicago expects some major improvements.
White was drafted in the first round, but he has not been able to get on the field much this summer after suffering a shin injury. According to ESPN 1000 in Chicago, White has resumed running at practice and GM Ryan Pace said that White is "really sharp" mental and will be ready to return to full practice soon. White will not play in Week 1 of the preseason and depending on how he is recovered, he could see time in one of the games later in the month.
The backup quarterback situation behind Cutler is still being sorted out, but right now it looks like Clausen will be the number two. According to ESPN Chicago, Clausen and Shane Carden have been getting work in camp and both could play extensively on Thursday. Carden has had a chance to play with David Fales coming back from a shoulder issue and there is a chance that the Bears keep Clausen and one of either Carden or Fales for the season. Last year Clausen got the chance to start in place of Cutler near the end of the season and he finished 2014 with 223 yards and two touchdowns in four games.
Check here for more on the Bears training camp, Cutler and White in the preseason.
