Nov. 17--Rich Gannon wrote the foreword for Marc Trestman's book, and it was Gannon who previewed -- at least nationally -- a question that had been making the rounds locally:
Huge contract or not, should Jay Cutler remain the Bears' quarterback?
Gannon, a former league MVP who has been a guest of Trestman's at Halas Hall, said at the start of last week that Cutler should be benched -- comments Trestman said he wasn't familiar with. Gannon, now a CBS analyst, is a Trestman supporter and wouldn't try to create a greater name for himself in television by dumping on his buddy's embattled quarterback.
This wasn't a random talking head. It was a guy in the inner circle of the coach charged with bringing out the level of play in Cutler needed to match the $54 million guaranteed in his contract through 2016.
Trestman put Sunday's game in Cutler's hands to the extent that he had his quarterback run a sweep on fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line. It didn't work, but Cutler did enough things successfully for the Bears to end a rotten stretch with a 21-13 victory over the Vikings.
It was Cutler's first win at Soldier Field since Oct. 10, 2013 -- 28 days before the Cubs hired Rick Renteria as their manager. The Bears' first home victory this season halted a three-game slide that included allowing 106 points in losses to the Packers and Patriots.
The Bears (4-6) have not exactly rejuvenated their season, and Cutler hasn't done enough to turn the tide of conversation for those wondering what the team should do for 2015. But the Bears and Cutler both needed a victory in the worst possible way to at least change the tone of the discussion.
Cutler finished 31 of 43 for 330 yards and three touchdowns -- all against 5-foot-10 cornerback Josh Robinson -- and was picked off twice. His first touchdown, a 27-yard throw to Alshon Jeffery, came after he eluded the pass rush of defensive ends Everson Griffen and Brian Robison by rolling right out of the pocket.
He was on the move for much of the game, and that helped the makeshift offensive line hold off the Vikings, who entered third in the NFL with 30 sacks and had none Sunday.
"We were able to mix it up enough to where we got the pocket moving a little bit," Trestman said. "That helped us."
Cutler, now 9-12 as a starter under Trestman, sounded as if he would like to do more of it on a weekly basis.
"We've got to move the pocket," he said. "We've got to help our offensive line. We get some easy throws in the flat and get some stuff on the outside. It is going to negate some of the pass rushes we see, keep teams off balance and make us look less predictable."
The performance wasn't without a few head-scratching moves. Safety Harrison Smith intercepted Cutler and returned it 52 yards. Cutler said he tried to throw at the feet of tight end Martellus Bennett after the Vikings crossed up the offense with a different look.
Captain Munnerlyn undercut Marquess Wilson's route on second-and-goal from the 4 in the fourth quarter on the play before Brandon Marshall posted up Robinson for his second touchdown catch.
"It hit me right in the chest," Munnerlyn said. "I've got to capitalize there. That is seven points off the board. I just dropped it. But Cutler did a great job of moving in the pocket and looking downfield and finding the open guy."
If it was a different week for Cutler, he certainly didn't show it. He was measured with his comments and said he had to be better.
"There is always pressure," Cutler said. "You can't let that affect the way you play the game on Sunday. I thought we did a good job of calling plays early and making sure we were in a rhythm and taking some shots too. Once the game started, I've just got to play."
Cutler is right when he says it's a long season. Six games remain and plenty can happen. Who knows? Maybe he can even get Gannon on board.
"Everyone can relax a little," Cutler said. "We realized we have a better team in that locker room than we are (showing)."
It's not quite like hearing Aaron Rodgers say "r-e-l-a-x" after the Packers' 1-2 beginning. But it's a start.
bmbiggs@tribpub.com
Twitter @BradBiggs
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