This is the year the Chicago Bears are ready for playoff contention–head coach Marc Trestman has settled in and left his imprint on this offense last season, while the pieces have now come together on both sides of the ball to fight the Green Bay Packers for the NFC North crown.
Offensively this team is loaded–out wide they have Brandon Marshall, a true elite wide receiver who showed last season why he is one of the best in the game. On the other side, you have the young and extremely promising Alshon Jeffery. The 24-year-old is coming off a breakout season where he hauled in 89 passes for 1,421 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.
The duo form arguably the wide receiver pair in the league and the group could be even better with Marquess Wilson ready to emerge as Chicago's number three receiver. The passing attack is also bolstered by tight end Martellus Bennett who at 6'6" with a 4.6 40-time is a tough threat to stop, as he showed last season with 65 receptions and 759 receiving yards. To top it all off they have Matt Forte who showed once again last season he is just as good out of the backfield as he is catching passes.
There is one question remaining on this team and it's the quarterback–can Jay Cutler come through for this franchise and take them back to the playoffs. Cutler hasn't been to the Pro Bowl since 2008 when he was with Denver Broncos and during his five seasons with Chicago, the last time he threw for over 3,500 yards was in his first year with the Bears. Even more disappointing is the fact Cutler hasn't thrown over 20 touchdowns since 2010.
This is where statistics can lie though–because Cutler's injuries are really not entirely an indication of poor play on his part. He has just been incredibly unlucky with his durability issues and the lack of surrounding talent in his first four years with the Bears. Cutler was sacked 35 times in 2009, a league leading 52 times in 2010 and 148 sacks in four seasons. The hits took their toll. A knee injury, broken thumb, a bicep injury, neck injury and so many more have all taking a toll on Cutler.
He started all 16 games in 2009 and 15 in 2010, but missed six games in 2011, played through numerous ailments in 2012 and missed five games last season. Even when he was on the field prior to 2012, Chicago failed to help him with surrounding talent. In 2011, Forte led the team with 52 receptions, while Johnny Knox and Roy Williams were a distant second with 37 receptions. Things weren't much better the year prior–Forte again led the Bears in receptions (51) splitting the team-led with Knox, while Earl Bennett was second with 46.
Finally, Chicago acquired Marshall before the 2012 season and he came through in a big way– Marshall's 118 receptions were more than Forte combined for the previous two seasons. The Bears also took a chance on Jeffery in the second round despite concerns over his work ethic. While he needed time to adjust to the NFL, the signs of a bright future were there. The offensive line remained a weakness giving up 38 sacks, but that would be fixed the following offseason.
General manager Phil Emery made sure that he wouldn't make the mistakes as his predecessor–he drafted Kyle Long in the first round to start at right guard and opened up the checkbook to sign left tackle Jermon Bushrod. He also signed Bennett to add another receiving threat for Cutler to look towards. Finally, Cutler had the surrounding talent to come through with a strong 2013 season.
Unfortunately, the one thing that has haunted Cutler throughout his time in Chicago showed its face once again. Cutler missed time with a high-ankle sprain and fought through it even when he was starting. When Cutler was out for five games, he saw backup Josh McCown thrive with the offensive weapons. McCown played in eight games and started six of them finishing the season with 1,829 passing yards, 13 touchdowns to just one interception.
When Cutler was healthy he showed excellent improvement–he raised his completion percentage to 63 percent, a remarkable improvement from his 58-completion percentage in 2011 and 2012. Cutler cut down on his interceptions, and saw his QBR jump 16 points. Under new head coach Marc Trestman, Cutler's mechanics improved and he looked like the great quarterback many knew he could be.
Health is the only thing keeping Cutler from having a career season this year. He now has a full year under Trestman's system and has really mastered the playbook, earning himself more freedom at the line of scrimmage to call plays. He ahs an elite wide receiver, an elite running back, strong offensive line and a young wide receiver on the verge of greatness. Everything is in place for Cutler to have a 30-plus touchdown 4,000-yard season and make it to the Pro Bowl.
History says Cutler won't start all 16 games, he hasn't done it since 2009. But given the quick-hitting style of this offense, the offensive line and Cutler's increased strength and ability to move around the pocket, he is in much better shape to avoid the big hits. Staying healthy is the only thing Cutler must prove this season–if he can do it the Bears' are set for their breakout season, if he can't this team is in massive trouble with Jimmy Clausen his likely backup.