As Jay Cutler would say: "What a peeena"
One day, a long time ago (six years ago, to be precise), Chicago signed Jay Cutler and ceased to be Chicago to become Cutlerlandia. And perhaps it wasn't exactly like that, but from the outside it seemed that Lovie Smith, Marc Trestman, Ron Turner, Mike Martz, Mike Tice, and Aaron Kromer dedicated themselves body and soul to making Jay Cutler play, and along the way they gradually forgot about the Bears playing. So, in six fateful years, they all killed the legendary defense of 'The Monsters of the Midway'... and it died on its own.
Oh, and meanwhile, Cutler was doing his thing, pouting and looking at his belly button.
It seems that the Windy City is definitely fed up with its quarterback, but he has become a type of Chinese ornament that clashes in the living room and that no one dares to throw away. Among other things because last year someone had the brilliant idea of renewing him for seven years and nearly 128 million dollars. Since obviously no one is going to make an offer for him, there are only two solutions: put up with Culter until 2020 or pay him everything he is owed under the commitment that he will never set foot in Chicago again, something that may not be such a bad idea.
Given the situation, the Bears have signed John Fox, a specialist in resurrecting dead teams, who has surrounded himself with an extraordinary staff with the aim of rebuilding a defense that the fans can be proud of again, and giving their quarterback enough weapons to see if he stops doing whatever he wants and gets lucky. Fox is not going to get into trouble, nor is he going to do any revolutionary experiments. His recipe has always been defense and running game. And in Chicago they are not going to ask him to reach the Super Bowl, they just dream that the team stops being a crying towel and for that, the choice of coach is perfect. Another thing is that once the cleanup is done, Fox may have more room to maneuver.
The sad thing is that Cutler is talented and is surrounded by talent with Forte, Jeffery, and Bennett, plus rookie Kevin White and a reinforced offensive line. And Vic Fangio has already shown before that he knows how to work defensive miracles, but recovering the lost soul does not seem to be a day's work, especially in a division that has filled up with top teams.
And nothing that they can all do together will serve for anything if the attitude of their quarterback does not change. Cutler's sulking can quickly destroy the morale of even the most united team.
The team's three keys by Rubén Ibeas
1 The improvement that Vic Fangio is capable of achieving in a defense that was one of the worst in 2014. The toughness that this franchise has always shown began to disappear in 2013, and last year it ended in a farce. A large part of the unit has been renewed, so their defensive coordinator must start from scratch to restore Chicago's soul.
2 Jay Cutler and his self-destructive instinct. All the talent he may have becomes useless when his mind stops functioning, and this is something that happens more and more frequently and for longer periods of time. After signing a big contract, his level has plummeted, giving the feeling that he doesn't care about anything or anyone. Either he wakes up or the offense will wander aimlessly on NFL fields again.
3 Jeffery's response as WR1. It is easier to live in the shadow of a star like Brandon Marshall, with fewer eyes on you. In the upcoming season, he will be the one drawing the attention of the opposing defense, and he must continue to demonstrate the great progress he has made since the Bears chose him in the second round of the 2012 draft. It is not an easy burden to bear.
The best
1 Their receiving corps. Jeffery, Bennett, White, and even Forte when he goes out to receive.
2 The coaching staff formed by Fox, Fangio, and Gase. They can restore the team's prestige.
3 The future of a DL full of talent and youth. Fangio will make it work, no matter what.
The worst
1 The LB corps was truly pathetic, they have been renewed, but they will have problems in the middle.
2 The secondary. Exactly for the same reasons as the LBs. It has to improve significantly.
3 The offensive line. And as a result of that, Cutler losing his cool in many games.