Related: Chicago Bears’ Playoff Hopes Are Vanquished After Mass-Injury Spree
The Chicago Bears have had a rough time lately. Struggling to stay on the winning path, Marc Trestman and the Bears are just 4-3 after a 3-0 start to the season. Although that record is still good enough for first place, the Bears will be moving forward in the next couple of weeks without their leader: Jay Cutler.
Why big is this news? Considering that the Bears’ backup quarterback has played just seven games since 2008, passing for just 620 yards and throwing just 81 passes, there is a considerable drop-off in talent from the starter to Josh McCown. He’s been in the league for 11 years but has yet to break the 2,600 yard mark for a single season — even in his days as a starter in the early to mid-2000s.
Let’s also consider how Cutler’s groin injury is going to affect Brandon Marshall‘s ability to get the ball in his hands and make plays down the field. Cutler was on pace to have his second-best career season before he went down and he had 1,658 yards, 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Marshall had been his favorite target and the Bears were looking like a serious playoff contender. Now that Cutler will be out at least four weeks, the Bears will need to rely more on Matt Forte to run the ball.
Sure, Chicago has a bye week in week eight, but the Bears will still be playing at least three games without their quarterback and, in the worst case scenario, they could be sitting at 4-6 by the time he comes back with a tough upcoming schedule — seemingly ending any hope their had for the playoffs.
This is the worst possible news for Bears fans.
Related: Jay Cutler Out At Least Four Weeks With Torn Groin; Can Chicago Bears Survive?
Chicago Bears: Bye Week Comes At Best Possible Time For Reeling Team
Connor Muldowney is a columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Connormuldowney, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. You can also reach him at .
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