Recent injuries have found Jay Cutler's future with the Chicago Bears in question. As Josh McCown continues to play well as the quarterback's replacement, many wonder if Cutler's time with the team is over. Despite the rise of the backup, head coach Marc Trestman is continuing to back Cutler as the future for the Bears.
There is no doubting that McCown certainly deserves a lot of credit for what he has done as a starter. He has played well enough to make some wonder if Cutler's expiring contract will not be picked up next season. Trestman is certainly praising the backup, but noting that it is still not enough to unseat Cutler as the team's starter.
"Jay is the quarterback of our football team, and Josh is our backup quarterback," Trestman said, via ESPN.com. "The three of us all know that. That hasn't changed, and it's not gonna change."
Trestman has to stress this given what McCown has done lately. Against the Baltimore Ravens, he put up a 92.9 passer rating while stringing together a game-winning drive in overtime. McCown understands is place on the team. Right now he is filling in for the injured Cutler, who will be inactive for Week 12. When he returns healthy McCown will once again take the backseat, a role he is comfortable with.
"I have said this over and over again: I'm the backup quarterback on this team," McCown said. "The way I serve my team is to play when the starter is not healthy. Jay is our starting quarterback. There is no doubt about that. Hopefully whenever Jay is healthy, we are still in position to get everything we want to get accomplished and done when he takes back over."
McCown is saying all of the right things. However, CBSSports.com reporting a scenario where McCown's play influences whether or not Cutler sees his contract extended with the Bears. While it seems almost impossible for Chicago not to renew Cutler as a franchise quarterback, his durability has made his future questionable. McCown is cheaper and Trestman is the kind of coach that can truly mold a rookie quarterback into something special.
The rest of the Bears agree that right now Cutler is the true starter in Chicago. But how long will it last? A healthy Cutler certainly provides the Bears with the best chance to win right now as they sit tied for the lead in the NFC North, but the future is another argument.
"We know who our starting quarterback is," center Roberto Garza said. "Even Josh said it. Jay is the starting quarterback for this team. He's the leader of this team. Josh is our backup. He's playing really good football right now. There's no question about that. But Jay remains our starter."
