Emma: Jay Cutler Silences Outside Noise In Leading Bears To Victory
By Chris Emma--
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Oh, that Jay Cutler.
If the Bears indeed plan on finding their next franchise quarterback, Cutler will try his best to prove them wrong. He showed that on Monday night in the Bears' surprising 20-10 victory over the first-place Vikings.
Out since Week 2 with a thumb injury, Cutler pointed out last week that Fox had no choice but to back him as quarterback after Brian Hoyer suffered a broken arm. Then he went out for the first time in six weeks and earned the game ball from Fox.
"He played well," Fox said of Cutler. "I think he might have been part of the reason that guys turned it up a notch. I'm glad they did."
Facing the NFL's top defense, Cutler went 20-of-31 for 252 yards and a touchdown, recording a 100.5 rating. The offense was sound around him, with receiver Alshon Jeffery finding the end zone for the first time this season and Jordan Howard going for 153 yards on the ground.
Cutler's ability to move the chains and sustain drives helped the Bears' defense dominate the Vikings' troubled offense too.
Initial reports suggested Cutler would miss just two weeks with the thumb sprain suffered in Week 2. Fox held him out for five games, allowing a recovery that was perhaps longer than needed. Hoyer was efficient but not good enough in place of Cutler, then he suffered a broken arm on Oct. 20 in a loss to the Packers.
With all due respect to Hoyer -- in whom Fox had expressed great faith -- Cutler should have never been questioned as this team's starting quarterback for 2016.
Outside noise was loud leading up to Monday night. Cutler silenced it for the time being. It must have been gratifying, right?
"It was just more fun to watch my teammates and see how hard they played and how well they played," Cutler said.
The Bears went into halftime with a 13-3 lead. When they last took to Solider Field, a 13-0 lead unraveled in the fourth quarter to the Jaguars. Cutler was on the sidelines and watched his team lose.
Cutler wasn't going to let that happen again. At halftime, he rallied the team with words of encouragement. He wore a smile that teammates noticed and let them know a win was coming.
"Those guys played some inspired football, and it was fun to be a part of," Cutler said.
During the week leading up to Cutler's return, Bears players were genuinely rejuvenated by Cutler's return. Their leader helped bring out the team's best.
"He just rised up to the challenege," Bears linebacker Pernell McPhee said.
Cutler roamed the Bears' sidelines in the fourth quarter, shaking hands, bumping fists and patting shoulders. He wanted everybody to be feeling good with the result they had coming.
When the Bears returned to their home quarters, Cutler was their to congratulate them.
"He's a great teammate," Jeffery said.
While the Bears moved to 2-6 on the season, they still stand in line for the No. 3 pick of the 2017 draft. That could mean taking a quarterback and moving on from Cutler, whose guaranteed $54 million of the seven-year, $126.7 million contract has been paid in full.
As for this season, Fox may have been ready to move on with Hoyer, but the injury didn't permit a choice. Cutler took the high road as he always does when a coach turns on him.
Cutler went out and was defiant in the most effective way, beating the Vikings and their vaunted defense. Then he wanted to share the credit.
"That locker room has a bunch of very talented football players and a lot of great, high-character guys," Cutler said. "I think it really showed throughout the week and tonight."
That's why Cutler has been voted a captain each year as the Bears' quarterback. Teammates united around his return as their leader and starting quarterback. Cutler came through and led the Bears to victory.
More so, Cutler showed the Bears shouldn't be so sure about moving on.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 and like his Facebook page.
