While Jay Cutler will probably never admit it, the most productive combination he ever had in Chicago was with Mike Martz. Even though the quarterback hated the former offensive coordinator’s offense due to its pass-heavy system built around dangerous seven-step drops, the fact is Cutler went 17-8 with Martz calling the shot. He never had anything close to the same winning percentage with any other coordinator in his career.
Even before arriving in Chicago, Martz had built a sterling reputation. He coached arguably the greatest offense in NFL history. From 1999 to 2001, the St. Louis Rams “Greatest Show on Turf” scored over 500 points in three-straight seasons, produced three MVP winners, reached two Super Bowls, won a Lombardi trophy. So it’s not hard to understand why the guy had a big ego of his own by the time he arrived in Chicago.
So much in fact that he felt completely comfortable in his second year to tell the Bears that his offense would be fine without tight end Greg Olsen. A future three-time Pro Bowler. Chicago traded him. Former Bears receiver Earl Bennett revealed that alone might’ve sent the message about Martz being in charge. However, the coordinator had another big one coming.
Mike Martz made it clear who was in charge
It seemed like the Olsen trade wasn’t enough to get the attention of players when training camp began. They weren’t focused enough on him when the first meeting arrived. That’s when he said a line that pretty much made it clear where his head was at.
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“Training camp began with the trade of Greg Olsen. A budding star who everyone loved and knew would be a special player if given the opportunities. But, the first meeting would set the tone for the entire camp and season. No one expected this. NO ONE!
Coach Martz walked into the meeting room on the first day of training camp. He was met by chortles that echoed throughout the room. He plays a clip and there are still a few laughs. He stops abruptly and says, “I’ve been doing this shit for 30 plus years” and walks out. NEVER returning to the meeting room that day.
We were all baffled and wondered what was going on. Was this a trick? Would he return tomorrow at least? We all wondered what The Wizard was plotting. Safe to say that he not only set the tone for the training camp, but for the season as well.”
The amazing part is Martz was proven right.
The Bears didn’t need Olsen. In 2010, they ranked 21st in scoring and 30th overall respectively. That next season, they’d jumped up to 17th and 24th. It would’ve been even better had the offense not been struck by a catastrophe in the form of season-ending injuries to Cutler and running back Matt Forte.
The great irony is Olsen, one of their most effective passing game weapons the previous year (team-high 6 TD catches in 2010) could’ve helped save Martz’s job. Chicago lost games 25-20, 10-3, and 13-10 down the home stretch. Instead, the Bears collapsed from 7-3 to 8-8 and the coordinator with 30+ years of experience was fired.
