By Vaughn McClureFormer NFL star quarterback Troy Aikman, part of the Fox broadcast crew for today's Bears-Vikings game, is just as surprised as anybody about Jay Cutler's struggles.
Cutler leads the league with 18 interceptions and has thrown for 15 touchdowns.
"They wouldn't have made the trade if they thought he was going to play like that,'' Aikman said before Sunday's game. "What it has done is point out some of the areas of that team that have been neglected for years: the offensive line and then the wide-receiver position.
"He has to play better. There's no question about that. But I see a guy who doesn't have confidence that he'll have time to throw the football. And he doesn't trust that the players are going to be where they're supposed to be when his ready to throw them the ball.''
Cutler had a tough time passing in last Sunday's 24-20 loss to the Eagles. He overthrew his receivers numerous times.
"I think he's at a point right now where he's just trying to be perfect,'' Aikman said. "There was an enormous amount of pressure on him to come in here and play well. You start guiding the ball, you start trying to be so precise. And you can't play that way.''
Aikman was asked what type of advice he would offer to Cutler.
"I didn't talk to him this week, but I talked to him before we had them against Arizona. There is nothing you can really say,'' Aikman said. "What Jay Cutler is dealing with is unique to every other position on the field. Nobody in that building knows what he's going through.
"To go tell him to just go out and relax and that everything will be fine, that doesn't work. That doesn't do anything for anybody. He's a competitor. If this guy wasn't a great competitor, he wouldn't have made it to the NFL. He wants to do well. He's pressing. But it's not just Jay Cutler.''
"I didn't talk to him this week, but I talked to him before we had them against Arizona. There is nothing you can really say,'' Aikman said. "What Jay Cutler is dealing with is unique to every other position on the field. Nobody in that building knows what he's going through.
"To go tell him to just go out and relax and that everything will be fine, that doesn't work. That doesn't do anything for anybody. He's a competitor. If this guy wasn't a great competitor, he wouldn't have made it to the NFL. He wants to do well. He's pressing. But it's not just Jay Cutler.''
Photo: Aikman poses with his presenter, Norv Turner, after Aikman was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. (AP / Mark Duncan)
All Bears news delivered to your mailbox on Friday and Monday mornings. 
When sports news breaks, be the first to know. (To get alerts on a mobile device, text CHISPORTS to 31286.). 
Get our updates on 
I just couldnt leave your website before saying that I really enjoyed the quality information you offer to your visitors... Will be back often to check up on new stuff you post!
Yes, I concur the Bears need to get a #1 receiver and some lineman with strength and speed.
James, part of your question and I quote: "......Cutler throws a pick after throwing a jumpball to a 5'10 receiver ?"
Hmmm....5'10" receiver....I think you answered your own question. Part of the problem.
This is the last year of the offensive line that has been in place for years. THEY ARE DONE. Lovie Smith to take on the job on Defensive Corr. Is a big cheap skate error in judgement by ownership & management. BE HAPPY THEY TRADED FOR JAY CUTLER. IT HAS OPENED PANDORAS BOX OF BEARS TEAM SHORTCOMINGS, TO BE POLITE. G.M HAS TO GO & OFFENSIVE COOR HAS TO GET FIRED & THEY HAVE TO GET RON RIVIERA BACK OR SOMEONE LIKE HIM!!!!
Good Luck! LOVIE SMITH SHOULD BE FIRED FOR GOING ALONG WITH THIS Management PLAN IN PLACE. HE AT LEAST HAD THE POWER & SAY SO TO DISAGREE TO IT. WHAT THEY PUT IN PLACE IS WRONG. OWNERSHIP SUCKS & so does management. Managements better judgement should override ownership. RIGHT. Not the case with the BEARS. NOW THEY SUFFER "DON'T GO TO A BEARS GAME" The pocket book works best!! TO GET A WINNER
as usual this game was awful to watch. i keep saying again and again, the trade to get cutler was bad. just let me know when we have a winning team.
go blackhawks!
Aikman is just coming to the aid of a fellow QB.. They gave him a season and a half to knock that interception crap off in Denver. Mcdaniels was right not to put up with his ego and lack of commitment. How do you like him now??? And his sleepy eyed could give a shit post game interviews feel sooo shallow! Can I have my check now?
I remember watching Troy Aikman play for the Cowboys-that was a great #1 pick. He summed it up best because he was given everything he needed in order to win 3 titles. BUT Aikman had an owner that spends alot of money...WE DON'T. Jay Cutler needs to take responsibility to his own actions because he had a hand in his demise.
Bandit,
GO FIND A MAN OF YOUR OWN...YOU SOUND STUPID BECAUSE YOU DON'T TALK ABOUT FOOTBALL. STOP ADDING TO THE REP THAT WOMEN DON'T KNOW FOOTBALL.
Dennie- When you cant call out protections properly or make any good presnap reads of course you are going to be running for your life. Of course the Bears have other problems but when I look at Rogers in GB hes been running for his life all year long and still manages to make enough good plays to offset the bad ones that he does have.
Are you telling me that right before the half we have a chance to score and get back in the game before halftime and Cutler throws a pick after throwing a jumpball to a 5'10 receiver ?
There has been far too many excuses made for jay instead of positive plays made by jay. If to be a franchise QB you need everyone around you to play there best and everything to go your way then you sir are not a franchise QB.
On the first pick, yes the ball was underthrown, but the receiver should be able to adjust to that and at least break up the pass. Knox didn't do his job on that play. And the second pick shouldn't have been one. It hit the receiver after he had been interfered with.
Cutler ain't perfect, but the offensive play calling doesn't use any of his strengths. You have a bad offensive line. Why not roll him out and take advantage of his mobility? Damn, it worked pretty well in Denver.
And the running game, why aren't there more runs outside the tackles? How about some sweeps and pitch plays? It's time to blow the whole thing up.
Cutler is WAY down the list of problems our team has. GET HIM HELP NOW McSUCKski's...
Kyle Orton has proven the problem was not solely the QB play. The O-Line and WR talent in Denver is superior to the junior league talent we have in Chicago. Devin Hester is not a #1 receiver. He is not even a #3 receiver. Use him sparingly in spot roles and as a kickoff returner. Continue to develop Bennett, Knox and let's see Iglesias on the field now that the season is over. Develop O-Line talent, and find some key free agents.
James, you're picking out plays that were obviously Cutler's fault. Yeah for you. That's all easy to say and pick out but does not paint an accurate picture of the guy.
Look at the whole picture. Look at the whole season. Any Franchise QB cannot possibly do well if he is constantly running for his life, getting hits and sacked, not given enough time to throw, is lucky if the receivers catch the passes, receivers slipping, has no runners, is 2nd on his teams rushing stats, badly-timed penalties...the list goes on.
And how do you know he does not inspire his teammates? I've heard them say he makes them want to go out and play but I've never heard any of them complain about him.
Jay takes the blame each game and never throws any of them under the bus.
I guess we can agree to disagree.
How different would this team be if we didnt have SO many damn injuries? I mean sure you make do with what you have but this team has lost ALOT lol.
The entire point of having a FRANCHISE QB is he is supposed to be able to play well even when things are not going his way. If the only way Jay can play well is if his supporting plays perfect and carries him then hes not a franchise QB and we are screwed. How about the franchise QB actually inspire his teammates ?
17-7 game 2 and half minutes to go in the first half against Minny and he turns it over. No way you can throw that ball short in that situation . These are game killing team destroying mistakes. Even if we run in 3 times in a row in that situation and kick the fg its a 17-10 game at the half and we get the ball first in the second half.
This guy just doesnt know how to play winning football as a QB and how many losses will it take before its realized .
Delusional? I think not. Hopeful, yes. (At least we are calm and not writing in caps.) Patience. You could put Perfect Peyton on the Bears team right now and they would not be doing much better. Sorry but it's the truth.
Aikman made some good points. He did not say and I am not saying that Jay is perfect but the team has more problems than the QB. I'll take Cutler any day with the right supporting cast. Love his guts, love his drive and competitiveness and love his I don't care what you think attitude. He can also run and he can take the hits. Lord knows he has had to do a lot of that this year.
He was #2 on the Bears rushings stats behind Forte. Pretty sad when your QB in in that position.
It'll just take a little time. And I'm willing to wait. You'll see, good things will come.
The Bears finally get a quarterback! Guess What? They've got no receivers who can catch the ball. The coaching staff need to be replaced. The coach <lovie has no idea what to do. He lost., and theirs no one to help him. The defense is terrible!
I believe Bandit = Nada Surf. In fact, I am sure of it. Sorry Nada... I am so disappointed in you.
This is from Aikman "...he doesn't trust that the players are going to be where they're supposed to be when his ready to throw them the ball." I have been saing all along that the whole organization missed the ball, not picking up a good experienced wide receiver. Bye Bye Angelo, Lovie & Ron!
Cutler 'perfect' -
:D
Jay is perfect - FAR FROM IT, OBVIOUSLY
Jay will deliver. They need time to jell together as a team - YEAH JUST LIKE BRETT FAVRE NEEDS TIME TO JELL WITH THE VIKINGS, OH WAIT, NEVER MIND.
Bandit with the Cutler love as usual. ha - HA, HA, HA, INDEED
Aikman hit it right in the nail - YEAH, THE BEARS ARE LOUSY AND WILL BE WORSE WITH SUPERSTAR JAY AT QB
Keep the love going Bandit! - PLEASE, WE NEED HELP IN BEAR-LAND MAINTAINING OUR DELUSIONS THAT JAY IS OUR SAVIOR
Keep the love going Bandit! Lol
Aikman hit it right in the nail. Angelo has neglected the offensive line and WR position.
Bandit with the Cutler love as usual. ha
Aikman telling it like it is. Finally someone not laying the whole blame on Cutler. Patience Bears fans, patience. Jay will deliver. They need time to jell together as a team.