The season has officially ended for the Bears’ two best offensive players.
Quarterback Jay Cutler and running back Matt Forte were both placed on injured reserve today. It had long been suspected that the two would be unable to return to the field, although the Bears avoided officially ending their seasons until the Bears’ own playoff hopes were officially ended.
Cutler was having a very good season until he suffered a broken thumb on his passing hand in Week 11. The Bears have lost all five games since then.
Forte was having a brilliant season of his own before suffering a knee injury in Week 13. He’ll be a free agent in the offseason, and one of the questions facing the Bears is whether they’ll work out a long-term deal with Forte, use the franchise tag on him or let him test the free agent waters.