Fansided

5 NFL teams that could use an upgrade at quarterback

By John Buhler

Jan 3, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford (7) throws the ball against the New York Giants during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford (7) throws the ball against the New York Giants during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 20, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) questions the referees after a play against the Minnesota Vikings late in the third quarter at TCF Bank Stadium. The Vikings win 38-17. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) questions the referees after a play against the Minnesota Vikings late in the third quarter at TCF Bank Stadium. The Vikings win 38-17. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports /

. NFC. North. Chicago Bears. 5. player. 57

This is nitpicking a bit because Jay Cutler isn’t terrible, but he does have a finite ceiling as a quarterback and the Chicago Bears are only going to go so far with him under center. Cutler has had a respectable NFL career with the Bears and the Broncos as one of the league’s best arms and gunslingers in the game.

However, this has not translated to playoff success in the Windy City, as the Bears have only made the NFC Playoffs once with Cutler under center, winning only one game in 2010. Cutler isn’t the prototypical leader of the franchise and that seems to have been to the detriment of the Bears organization, as most teams look to their quarterback for dynamic leadership.

Losing former offensive coordinator Adam Gase to the head coaching gig with the Miami Dolphins will probably cause somewhat of a regression in Cutler’s play at quarterback in 2016. That doesn’t bode well for Cutler’s standing in the NFC North quarterback hierarchy. Cutler doesn’t have the improvisational skills of Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers, the arm strength of Detroit’s Matthew Stafford, or even the poise of Minnesota’s Bridgewater.

Given that the Bears have rarely had great long term success at the quarterback position, Cutler is allowed to stick with the team long term despite being maybe a top 20 passer in the NFL at this stage of his career. Chicago has to ride it out with Cutler for the next few years, but should look to upgrade the quarterback position if the Bears continue to struggle in the NFC for the next several seasons.

Next: 4. Philadelphia Eagles

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