The Chicago Bears are going to be without Jay Cutler for some time, and according to one report, the entire season.
Chicago quarterback Jay Cutler sustained a thumb injury in the second half of the Bears’ 29-14 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night. Cutler has been pounded for years behind one of the worst offensive lines in football, and despite the signing of All-Pro guard Josh Sitton, that’s once again the case in 2016.
Cutler reportedly has ligament damage to the thumb and is expected to miss an extended period of time, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport. In addition, FanSided’s Mark Carman is reporting that Cutler will be out for six months, putting him out for the remainder of the season.
The #Bears are preparing for a lengthy absence for QB Jay Cutler, source said. Now it's a matter of how to fix (surgery or not) his thumb.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 20, 2016
Cutler out for an extended period. Hearing it's a 6 month injury. I'm not a math major, but that probably means the season. #Bears
— Mark Carman (@thecarm) September 20, 2016
If that’s the case, Brian Hoyer will be the new starter. Hoyer was able to guide the Houston Texans to a 9-7 record and the AFC South crown last year, before sustaining a complete meltdown in the postseason. In the AFC Wild Card game, Hoyer threw four interceptions and lost a fumble against the Kansas City Chiefs, losing 30-0.
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Chicago is already 0-2 and losing Cutler for the season all but guarantees it another season without the playoffs. There is a very real chance that the Bears compete for the worst record in the sport, perhaps giving them Deshaun Watson in the upcoming NFL Draft.