The Chicago Bears are 0-2 and perhaps the worst team in the league. Now, the Bears have another massive problem to add onto a bad defense and a new coaching staff. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, quarterback Jay Cutler will miss at least two weeks with a hamstring injury that he sustained against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday afternoon at Soldier Field.
Bears QB Jay Cutler will miss at least 2 weeks with hamstring injury, per sources. Jimmy Clausen now starts. The Bears declined comment.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 21, 2015
Cutler was actually playing really well, completing all eight of his throws for 120 yards and a touchdown before tossing an interception to Tony Jefferson. While Jefferson was busy running the interception back for six points, Cutler attempted to make the tackle and was injured in the process. Cutler left the game and did not return, allowing Jimmy Clausen to finish the game.
This has the look of a brutal season in Chicago. The new leadership of general manager Ryan Pace and head coach John Fox would likely be thrilled to start fresh at quarterback but with Cutler’s seven-year, $126.5 million deal, the process is slow. Releasing Cutler is virtually impossible from a salary cap standpoint until after the 2016 season, when his dead money would only be $2 million, giving Chicago a cap savings of $14 million.
In the meantime, Clausen will be the starting quarterback. The Bears will be playing at the Seattle Seahawks in Week 3 before hosting the Oakland Raiders in Week 4. Cutler could come back for Week 5 against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium, getting to face one of the best front seven’s in the NFL. It will be intriguing to see how Cutler plays once he returns, and if the Bears are still near the playoff race at that point.