Emma: Jay Cutler Masks Frustration As Uncertain Future Lingers
By Chris Emma-
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (CBS) -- Decked out in a team-issued Bears T-shirt and hat, Jay Cutler masked frustration and uncertainty behind a $126.7-million smile Thursday.
Cutler spoke with conviction and confidence, sounding like the franchise quarterback who Chicago gave $54 million in guaranteed money to just 11 months ago. But he's now been reduced to a backup role entering Sunday's game against the Lions at Soldier Field
"I'd rather get paid less and get to play on Sunday and play at a high level," said Cutler, who's the NFL's highest-paid player in 2014. "That's not possible right now."
It was coach Marc Trestman's decision to put the Bears' money man on the pine, opting to start former Notre Dame star and current reclamation project Jimmy Clausen instead this weekend. Cutler handled everything was class, taking the high road once again.
What was represented in that bright orange Bears shirt that Cutler donned was disappointment and disdain. He seemingly wore this as a PR stunt, as if everything was OK at Halas Hall. But even with a seven-year deal -- two more seasons of guaranteed money coming -- Cutler's days in Chicago may be over.
When general manager Phil Emery minted Cutler as the Bears' franchise cornerstone in January, the notion that the quarterback would be gone after one season would have come as a shock. As Cutler walked out of a meeting with Trestman on Wednesday to explain the quarterback swap, that realization hit.
"It's definitely crossed my mind, for sure," Cutler said when asked if his Bears tenure might be over.
It was a move shocking to all, including the players, most of whom found out via an anonymously sourceed Twitter report. So much for Trestman's plan to handle team matters internally.
The latest tightrope walk at the circus Halas Hall has become brought four apparent figureheads of the organization before local reporters and national television cameras on Thursday.
First came Trestman, who will likely be removed at season's end. The soft-spoken coach was chippy, even scolding a reporter for interrupting. But when asked for thoughts on Cutler's future beyond this season, he seemed lost.
"I'm not going to get into hypotheticals because nobody knows," Trestman said.
Next came Cutler, the man who once appeared to be Chicago's football savior. He was built up as the answer for the Bears' greatest question, even as recent as this year.
"It's out of my control," Cutler of the future, handling himself as best he could.
Soon Clausen followed, with just two games left on his deal in Chicago. With strong showings, he could offer some vindication for Trestman, the so-called "quarterback whisperer," and stay with the Bears or move on elsewhere, just as Josh McCown did.
"It's a chance to showcase your talents," Clausen said.
Finally, the most sure man to be fired stumbled up -- offensive coordiator Aaron Kromer. To no surprise, he hadn't spoken with Cutler -- could you imagine how that would go? -- and seemed just as lost as the fourth quarter of Monday Night Football and the Bears' latest embarrassment. His rambling rhetoric was lost on reporters the same as it seems on his offense.
"There's never a right time to change a quarterback," Kromer said.
What do these four have in common? Nobody is in charge. None of this group of "leaders" for the Bears' trainwreck of a 2014 season are likely to return next season. Out of this group, Clausen seems to have the best odds. Nobody could have expected that when the team took to Bourbonnais for training camp last summer.
Thursday was the latest example of what a dysfunctional disaster the Bears organization has become in a 5-9 season. Live broadcasts rolled all across the world to display the chaos at Halas Hall.
Bears ownership allowed Ted Phillips to bring in Emery, who went for the odd hire of Trestman, who decided to keep Kromer in place after a fireable offense and now benched the face of the franchise. If this is structure resembles the military, as Emery suggested, there are major concerns of national security.
Once again, the Bears showed zero signs of control.
Suddenly, it's Cutler's future with the franchise that's in jeopardy. He handled the stunning news with grace. If he won games like he's winning press conferences, none of this mess would have occurred.
"You think you're going to be here a while," Cutler said. "I'm still hopeful that's going to be true."
Nobody in Halas Hall knows for sure. There could be many moving trucks come Black Monday, now 11 days away. Cutler could be moving, too, and that realization hit hard.
Everything, from that bright orange Bears shirt to that big smile, it was all a front from Cutler as he masked frustration.
Follow Chris on Twitter @CEmma670.