Decision to Start Cutler is a Questionable One

After having completed all necessary tests, Jay Cutler is said to be back at full health and mobility after being sidelined for the past four games. The starting quarterback for the Chicago Bears suffered a high ankle sprain on November 10th, a game which the Bears fell to the Detroit Lions. Since then the second-string quarterback (34 year old Josh McCown) has, in a way, been as dominant as any quarterback in the league. Yet all of McCown's success seems to just be a favor in the mind of head coach Marc Trestman as opposed to something that is worth investing in, at least for the time being.

McCown has exceeded expectations thus far

I understand that Cutler is "the guy" and he's the one that's got the big contract. It is that exact reason why I feel like Trestman feels obligated to have Cutler start as soon as possible. Sports has become about money and the players who make the most tend to get whatever they want. As a Bears fan, I would rather see Cutler on the sideline until McCown plays his way out or gives the coaching staff a justifiable reason to sit him.

Take a look at what the back-up has done this season: in seven appearances he has managed to throw for 1,271 yards while boasting a league-leading 85.7 quarterback rating. To put this situation in perspective, Jay Cutler's QBR is 63.2. To take it a step further, both quarterbacks have thrown for 13 touchdowns thus far so it's not as if McCown has been any less productive. And while the quarterbacks have both thrown the same amount of touchdowns, the difference in interceptions is absolutely laughable. Cutler has thrown eight picks as opposed to McCown's one. Need I say more?

Now many people would argue that you should never lose your job due to injury. I can understand that and even support that to a certain degree. But in this particular situation, why would you even think of taking out McCown? The guys is putting up numbers that are the best any Chicago quarterback has put up and he's hot right as the fight for a playoff spot is at it's most heated point. What more could you ask for?

McCown's statistics as a starter have surpassed Cutler's

In any other sport, I feel like the opinions on a situation like this might be different. In football, the quarterback is obviously the leader of the offense and the team functions only as well as the quarterback does. I get that, but in baseball you wouldn't take out a guy who's swinging a hot bat nor would you take out a shooter in basketball that's found a great and consistent rhythm. Sports is all about who's hot at the right time. Look at the 2011 Connecticut Huskies in basketball. They came off an astounding Big East tournament championship only to run the table in the NCAA tournament despite not being one of the nation's top teams. When things are going well and your team is in sync and all on the same page, it doesn't matter where you rank in the league. Things just seem to click.

That's exactly how the Bears look right now. Despite McCown's 2-2 record as a starter, the offense has, for the most part, looked much better than it has with Cutler. Not to mention the breakout performances from wide receiver Alshon Jeffery. McCown has the trust of his offense and has earned the spot as a starter and the Bears have a very good chance to grab a win against Cleveland this Saturday. It will be interesting to see how Cutler performs in his first game in over a month. I still disagree with Trestman's choice because I've heard a phrase many times that applies to this situation perfectly: if it ain't broke, don't fix it.