As Bears fans know, Jay Cutler can make a grown man cry..
The offense learned that Monday in a meeting room at Halas Hall when offensive coordinator Aaron Kromer made an emotional and tearful apology for criticizing the quarterback in a private conversation at Soldier Field with an NFL Network reporter last week.
Four sources told the Tribune that Kromer adamantly denied he said anything about the franchise having buyer's remorse for Cutler's blockbuster contract and assured players that portion of Sunday's report on NFL Network did not come from him. With Cutler in the room, Kromer did admit however to being frustrated with the quarterback's play management and expressing that to Ian Rapoport as he left Soldier Field on Dec. 4 after the fifth loss in seven games.
Cutler shook his head during Kromer's apology, one source said.
Rapoport reported the Bears had remorse over Cutler's $126.7 million, seven-year contract that includes $54 million guaranteed, far and away the largest in organization history. Rapoport went on to say Cutler's refusal to check out of bad run plays has "absolutely killed" the team and Kromer owned that when addressing players in the offensive meeting, sources told the Tribune.
"I said what I had to say to the players," Kromer said when reached Thursday night.
The shocking revelation is a sign of how dysfunctional the Bears have become in a season spinning out of control since a pair of blowout losses to the Patriots and Packers at the midway point.
Kromer told the players he should not have spoken outside the family circle and did so in the heat of emotion and apologized hoping they all could use it as a learning experience, he told the Tribune.
"I'm still kind of trying to sort my way through this to be honest," one player said. "It's one of the most (messed) up things I have ever seen."
"It's a (messed) up situation," another player said.
Rapoport also reported the Bears considered benching Cutler during the slow start against the Buccaneers on Nov. 23 when the team fell behind 10-0 at halftime. And he reported defensive coordinator Mel Tucker is expected to be let go at season's end, something that wouldn't come from Kromer.
The incident brings into question Cutler's trust in Kromer. It was just last week, in the aftermath of the 41-28 loss to the Cowboys, that Cutler gave the coaching staff a vote of confidence despite the continued woes.
"I've been on teams where you went (out) Sunday and you just knew the plan wasn't going to be good enough," he said. "I've never lined up with this crew and felt this plan isn't going to get it done. Or we don't have enough. Or we're outmatched. Or we're out-schemed. That never has been a thought of mine."
What does Cutler have that makes grown men scared to hold him accountable? And scared of him? When you're afraid to tell somebody face to face but do so behind their back, this is what happens. Hey Jay we are shaking our head at you too every other offensive series. In any case the two...
Cutler is on the verge of a handful of single-season passing records, but that speaks to the franchise's historical mismanagement of the position and coach Marc Trestman's lopsided play-calling as much as anything else. Cutler leads the NFL with 21 turnovers and the offense has been mired in a season-long slump, unable to reach 30 points in a game.
Cutler has a history of going through coaches in quick order. In his sixth season since coming over in a 2009 trade with the Broncos, he is on his second head coach, fourth offensive coordinator and fourth quarterbacks coach.
If Trestman and his staff are ushered out at the end of the month, the Bears will go back to the drawing board for a fifth time with Cutler unless they decide to part ways with the player. It will be challenging to find a trade partner to take on his contract. And if the Bears release the 31-year-old, they will have to write him a check for $15.5 million for not playing for them in 2015, meaning he would collect $38 million for one season of work (2014). It's doubtful the McCaskeys will sign off on that.
Of course, finding a new head coach or offensive coordinator to work with Cutler given the high rate of turnover at Halas Hall in recent years could prove challenging. But as one general manager said, there are offensive gurus who believe they can coach up anyone and there are teams out there with worse quarterback situations.
Cutler's relationship with Brandon Marshall is believed to be strained, especially after the wide receiver said he would have buyer's remorse as well when asked about the situation during an appearance Monday on WMVP-AM 1000. It will be interesting to see how Cutler and Kromer handle the situation during their weekly media availabilities Friday at Halas Hall.
There is open speculation as to the future of Trestman during a season that can finish no better than .500. The Bears went 8-8 a year ago, losing at home on the final day of the season to the Packers. This year, they failed to compete against the Packers, losing by a combined score of 93-31. General manager Phil Emery said earlier this year that Cutler is an elite quarterback based on his win-loss record. He is 10-14 with Trestman.
Kromer left the Saints, Monday's opponent at Soldier Field, to join Trestman in 2013. He served as the offensive line coach and running game coordinator under Sean Payton in New Orleans, earning a Super Bowl ring. His role was expanded this season as he has joined Trestman, position coach Matt Cavanaugh and the quarterbacks in their meeting room.
That afforded Kromer a closer look, one evidently that eventually led him to vent.
Mean Girls had less drama than this.
Login
Register
FAQ
Search
