Bears nurtured a winner at QB, may regret one who got away

Dan, the Bears did the unthinkable. They brought along a quarterback, nurtured him, and after a few years, they let him go.

Jay Cutler threw twice as many passes as Kyle Orton for twice as many yards, but I say, big deal! Cutler needed to win one of three remaining games to get Denver into the playoffs. You will argue he threw for 1,200 yards in his last three games, but I will say he didn't get it done. The Broncos had no defense or running game, so Cutler had to throw.

Orton had a running game and a better defense. But if that defense holds on for 11 seconds against Atlanta, the Bears go 10-6 and make the playoffs, and Jay Cutler is playing for someone else.

Now, …