Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler played horribly in a 36-10 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, and at least one of his teammates reportedly saw the poor performance coming.
Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report says he was told by two Bears players that most of Cutler’s teammates have given up on the veteran quarterback. One of the players told Freeman in a text message that Cutler’s lack of preparation leading up to Sunday’s game in Tampa Bay was “truly embarrassing.”
Cutler completed 16 of 32 passes for 182 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions against the Bucs. His passer rating of 55.1 was his lowest mark in over three years. Both of the interceptions came on back-to-back drives in the first quarter, with one being returned for a touchdown. Cutler also lost a fumble.
The Bears picked up an impressive win over the Minnesota Vikings last week in Cutler’s first game back from a thumb injury, but apparently that did little to change his teammates’ opinions of him. Despite the lousy play and alleged locker room drama, Bears coach John Fox said Monday that Cutler will remain the team’s starter in Week 11.
If you want to know how frustrated Cutler has been this season, a tweet his wife sent last week might give you an idea. The Bears are 2-7 and will now be without Alshon Jeffery for a month, as the star receiver has been suspended four games for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing drug use. An abysmal 2016 season will likely be Cutler’s last in Chicago.
