North: Why losing Cutler could be good for the Bears
Maybe Jay Cutler being hurt is the break the Chicago Bears need.
I know that sounds harsh, but I believe they will become a better organization and team once they let the beleaguered quarterback go.
With the Bears down by 7 points to the Arizona Cardinals, Cutler did what he seems to do best - throw an interception for a touchdown for the second straight week. He was looking like a well-oiled machine after completing 8-of-8 passes, and then the inevitable "Captain Turnover" emerged in the second quarter.
Cutler, who is a tough guy, got hurt trying to stop the return, and now he is out of the picture with a hamstring injury.
Let's see how the rest of this team responds.
Backup QB Jimmy Clausen has played sparingly for the Bears and will need to get more reps in this week to perform better on Sunday against Seattle. Maybe the Bears will take a second look at QB David Fales, currently on the practice squad, and I wouldn't be surprised if they took a look at the waiver wire.
What's clear is the Bears are hurting at QB, but haven't they been hurting since Cutler signed?
No matter what is wrong with him - a hammy or a shoulder - do we really care if he is out for the rest of the season? Do you honestly think he is the future for the Bears?
The win total for this team, according to the Las Vegas sports book experts, was 6 at the beginning of the season. One national publication called for only 3 victories. Initially when I read that I was livid, but not anymore.
Realistic Bears fan know all about irrelevancy. I think it could be 2017 before this team turns things around.
What was really disappointing about Sunday's game against Arizona were the 14 penalties for more than 170 yards, which broke a record set in 1944. It was also the second straight game without a sack by the Bears.
So while coach John Fox is getting his on-the-job indoctrination, he has to be wondering what he did wrong in Denver to deserve this type of fate.
I can't resist raising this thought: why not take a look at Tim Tebow? He can't be any worse than Clausen.
The Bears defense gave up less than 300 yards, but those penalty yards, return yards, the interception and a touchdown on a kickoff return all paint a bleak picture for the rest of the 2015 season. I have been doing a national radio show for the last few years so I watch all the games, but now with the postgame show on The Drive 97.1-FM, I'm miserable along with the rest of the Bears fans. And it's not going to get better soon.
Program notes:
Follow me on Twitter@ north2north, and listen to Fox Sports Daybreak with Andy Furman and myself from 5-8 a.m. Monday through Friday on Fox Sports radio. Check me out on iHeart radio or Foxsportsradio.com, and catch my postgame Bears show on the Drive 97.1 FM every Sunday.
• North's column appears each Tuesday and Friday in the Daily Herald, and his video commentary can be found Monday, Wednesday and Thursday at dailyherald.com. For more, visit northtonorth.com.