Jay Cutler is a divisive person. No, seriously it seems like there is no middle ground with the former Chicago Bears quarterback. People either love him or hate him. It’s true for fans, true for coaches and also teammates. More than a few have felt no qualms about speaking out against their former QB after leaving Chicago for jobs elsewhere. Brandon Marshall did it. Brian Urlacher did it. Martellus Bennett did it. Now a new face joined the club when Antrel Rolle knocked Cutler in a recent interview.
The former Bears safety had an unremarkable run in Chicago during the 2015 season. Injuries played a roll (excuse the pun) in why things didn’t work out. Nonetheless he was posed the question as to why Cutler ultimately failed during his time there. Rolle drew from his own experience to explain his thoughts.
“He was a little bit more laid back. He wasn’t a front-row leader. Neither was Eli Manning, but Eli has a way about himself to lead every guy. I just felt like, honestly, if Jay involved himself more with the team, more with his receivers, I think he’d get more better results on the playing field.
Like I said I just honestly feel like he would get much better results if he involved himself more in the team collectively, with all individuals. It doesn’t have to be offense, defense, special teams, but just everyone as a collective unit, I think he would get more out of his game for himself.”
Antrel Rolle knocked Cutler for leadership
Ironically 2015 probably was Jay’s best season under center for the Bears. Still Rolle won a Super Bowl with Manning so he’s seen the position played at the highest level up close. Cutler was long accused of not taking the greatest responsibilities as a leader in the locker room. Several former teammates have stated he barely if ever talked to them.
Another former safety, Brandon Meriweather, said that exact thing not too long ago.
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Cutler fans may denounce Rolle for waiting until Cutler was down before kicking him like this. Then again the guy wasn’t mean-spirited in his comments. He answered the question as best he could and honestly as he could. What he said is a view shared by many who played alongside Jay for the eight seasons he was the starter in Chicago.
The fact is the guy wasn’t a natural-born leader. That’s not a crime. Cutler has always been viewed as somewhat of an introvert. He keeps to himself and gets testy when people try prying into his personal life. That often can make a man misunderstood, but also not the best choice for being an NFL quarterback. A position that demands not just good play on the field but a voice to the rest of the team.
He may have wanted to convey the message of winning and playing better, but every time he tried it just came out wrong. Mostly through bad body language and ill-timed blowups on national TV. It goes back to the old moniker. Some guys have it, some guys don’t.
As Jay Cutler contemplates retirement, it’s clear those like Rolle may have had a point.
