For the people who are still looking for shreds of optimism regarding Jay Cutler's ability to not be the reason the Bears lose games, I'm surprised the 2011 season isn't brought up more often. The 6-game stretch of that season starting with the MNF loss to Detroit is, in my mind, the best Cutler has ever played in Chicago.
The numbers aren't bad, either: 111/183, 1,359 yards, 8 TDs, 3 INTs, 91.1 rating.
Very game manager-like numbers right there. Numbers you can win games with. And with the Bears defense still very much in its dominance under Lovie, it's no surprise that the Bears went 5-1 in that timeframe. Then Johnny Knox slipped on a slant route, Cutler broke his thumb making the tackle that cost him the rest of the regular season, and MARION FUCKING BARBER.
Go find that version of Jay Cutler and get him to line up for the Bears in 2015. I've been waiting for four years, though, so I wouldn't hold your breath.