Clausen Concussed, Cutler Returns

By Benjy Lipsman in News on Dec 22, 2014 8:30PM

Photo credit: David Banks/Getty Images

After his performance Sunday, would Jimmy Clausen have received a second start at quarterback for the Bears in their season finale? We'll likely never find out with Clausen ruled out for Sunday's game with a concussion.

Suffered when Ezekiel Ansah laid a helmet-to-helmet hit on a sliding Clausen during the game's final drive, the delayed symptoms apparently only developed after the game which is why the quarterback remained on the field.

With Clausen ruled out, head coach Marc Trestman had two options for Sunday's finale—return to Jay Cutler or give rookie David Fales a start. And in what just might be his final F.U. to the Bears organization, Trestman's going back to Cutler.

Said the embattled coach, "Jay gives us the best chance to win this week." But if the Bears have any hopes of trading Cutler in the offseason (rather than simply cutting him and having to pay the $15 million he's owed) they need to keep the quarterback healthy. Given the current shape of the Bears' offensive line, that's no easy task. And a win over the Vikings only hurts the Bears' draft position come April, when they need all the help they can find. Of course, Trestman's likely realized by now that nothing can save his job, so why should he care about helping the Bears rebuild?

It's the garbage time of a season that's long been over, so it's time to simply empty the bench and practice squad. Let the young guys go out there and get some experience on the field--those few that haven't already been called upon. That goes doubly for the rookie sixth round QB out of San Jose State. The start of the David Fales era would be the right move. But since when does anybody involved with the Bears do the right thing?