Sports are full of what-if scenarios. It’s a fun debate that you can have with your friends, and some could even get a little contentious. A lot of them deal with players getting injured. For example, what if Carson Wentz never got hurt in 2017? Would he have been able to take the Philadelphia Eagles all the way to the Super Bowl? Today, I’d like to talk about another what-if scenario, specifically about the 2010-2011 Chicago Bears. One that really doesn’t get discussed a lot. What if Jay Cutler didn’t get injured in 2010 or 2011? Could they have gone to the Super Bowl and potentially have won it all?
2010-2011 Chicago Bears: What Could Have Been?
2010 Chicago Bears: Playoff Heartbreak
The 2010 version of the Bears won the NFC North with an 11-5 record. As a result, they were able to pick up a first-round bye. In the divisional round, they took on the Seattle Seahawks at Soldier Field. The Bears dominated early and ended up winning 35-24. Next stop, NFC Championship game at home against division rival Green Bay Packers. Unfortunately for the Bears, Cutler injured his knee in early in the second half. It sidelined him for the rest of the game, which meant the Bears had to turn to backup quarterback Todd Collins. Collins struggled mightily and was ultimately pulled after injuring his shoulder. Enter Caleb Hanie, who had thrown three passes in his NFL career. Despite throwing two interceptions, including a pick-six to B.J. Raji, Hanie held his own and gave the Bears a chance to win the game.
The Bears season ended in absolute heartbreak. Their star quarterback who they just traded for suffered a significant knee injury in the biggest game of their season. Many criticized Cutler for not re-entering the game, as he was seen riding on the exercise bike trying to keep loose. If he didn’t get injured, could the Bears have won that game? Absolutely, they had a pretty good offensive unit, led by guys like Cutler, Matt Forte, and Greg Olsen. Additionally, they had one of the best defensive units in the game, led by Hall of Fame linebacker Brian Urlacher and future Hall of Famer Julius Peppers. Furthermore, they had pro bowlers in Tommie Harris, Charles Tillman, and Lance Briggs. That team was stacked on every level. It was a disappointing end to an outstanding season, but the Bears were hungry and ready to compete in the following season.
2011 Chicago Bears: Another Jay Cutler Injury
Coming off of an NFC Championship appearance, the hopes were high for the Bears in 2011. They were able to keep their core players from last year. However, they did trade away Olson to the Carolina Panthers for a third-round pick. To replace Olson’s production, they signed former Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Matt Spaeth. In addition, they also added former Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys receiver, Roy Williams. This team was ready to compete. They were ready to go back to the playoffs and make some noise.
The Bears struggled out of the gate, going 2-3 in their first five games. They weren’t phased though, as they were able to pull out five straight wins, scoring 30+ points in four of the five games. That brought their record to 7-3. Sadly, it came at a cost. During the Bears week 11 game against the San Diego Chargers, Jay Cutler broke his thumb trying to make a tackle. That injury would cost him his season. The Bears were forced to turn to Caleb Hanie again. Many had somewhat decent expectations for Hanie, as he held his own in the NFC Championship game. However, he wasn’t able to live up to those.
Despite gutsy efforts from the defense, the Bears couldn’t get the job done. They ended up losing the next five games, two of them by less than a touchdown. A Christmas day loss to the Packers ultimately ended their playoff chances, and put their record at 7-8. They won a meaningless week 17 game against the 3-13 Minnesota Vikings, which pushed their record to .500. Again, we must ask what could’ve happened if Cutler didn’t get hurt? That team with a healthy Cutler wins at least 10 games and had the potential to win multiple playoff games.
What Could Have Been With the 2010-2011 Chicago Bears
These two years really hurt Bears fans. They know how good this team could’ve been if Jay Cutler didn’t get injured. The Bears could’ve easily made the Super Bowl in 2010 and might have done the same in 2011. However, that’s just the way things go sometimes. But hey, the 2019 Bears are looking good, and have some noticeable similarities with these two teams. Great defense, a young quarterback with great arm talent, and two offensive geniuses calling plays for them.
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