Jerry Angelo was the general manager for the Chicago Bears when the team traded for quarterback Jay Cutler prior to the 2009 season.
Cutler has been a lightning rod for criticism at times as the quarterback of the Bears. Despite some decent seasons from a statistical standpoint, the Bears have made the playoffs just once in five seasons with Cutler at the helm.
Angelo was fired as Bears general manager following the 2011 season. In a piece written for TheSidelineView.com, Angelo graded the performance of every quarterback in the league during the 2013 season. Given his familiarity with Cutler during three seasons together in Chicago, Angelo’s critique of Cutler was particularly interesting.
“Has all the physical tools, but inconsistent in the clutch. Mostly due to a lack of poise,” Angelo wrote. “He’s not comfortable reading defenses and consequently locks onto a favorite or pre-determined target, that may or may not be the right choice. The less he’s asked to see the better he is. A better half field general, than a full field one.”
It’s by no means a scathing review of Cutler’s abilities. Cutler was ranked 15th in Angelo’s rankings for the season with an equal grade to Matt Ryan, Tony Romo and Matt Stafford. However, the comments of Cutler lacking poise and struggling to read defenses aren’t exactly a glowing endorsement either.
Considering the list of quarterbacks to start games during Angelo’s tenure as general manager included Craig Krenzel, Chad Hutchinson, Jonathan Quinn, Shane Matthews, Henry Burris and Rex Grossman, it may be wise to take Angelo’s breakdowns with a grain of salt as well.
Regardless, the Bears have made their bed with Cutler as their quarterback for the foreseeable future. Cutler signed a seven-year contract with the Bears in January.