How much can Adrian Wilson give the Bears?

The Chicago Bears signed a former Pro Bowl safety last week but at 34 years old how much does he have left? Wilson is coming off of an Achilles tendon injury that kept him out all of last year. He is a hybrid safety/linebacker that can excel in the box or pass coverage. The Bears are in desperate need of a versatile safety that can stay in position. Wilson throughout his career has been the guy to get it done on the back end of a defense.  He has made at least 70 tackles 8 times in his career, set the single season sack record by a defensive back with 8 back in 2005, and only the sixth player in the NFL to be a part of the 25/25 club (25 sacks and 25 interceptions). There are three ways this signing can go and all three do not hurt the bears. 

1.) The bears gave Wilson a cap friendly deal the will not hurt if they cut him. So if Wilson is just awful in camp the bears can release him and the two go their separate ways.

2.) Wilson returns to form with something to prove after not playing a year because of injury. This would be very beneficial to rookie Brock Vereen. Wilson show can show Vereen the ins and outs of how to be a NFL safety. Everyone wins in this scenario. The bears get a Pro Bowl safety that can change games and Vereen gets a year to grow into a stud.

3.) Wilson either declines throughout the season or get hurt. If this happens he is still there as a veteran leader in the locker room that can guide the secondary along with Charles Tillman. Not only would Vereen still benefit from this, all of the young bears safeties would benefit.

The bears have set themselves up for success with this signing. Phil Emery sees the value in players beyond what they bring on the field. Wilson has multiple assets he brings to the table for the bears regardless if he is on the field or not.  

How High is the Ceiling for Jay Cutler?

Jay Cutler has been under loads scrutiny ever since the Chicago Bears traded for him in 2009. There have been questions about his leadership, toughness, and decision making ever since joining the Bears. The only question that has never been asked is does he have the raw ability.  Cutler has shown the ability to win games and the ability to lose them. Cutler’s best year came in 2009 during his first year with the Chicago Bears. He threw for 3,666 yards, 27 touchdowns, but had 26 interceptions that year. Cutler has always had those buts in his tenure with the Chicago Bears.

 2014 is the year where Cutler needs to put all the questions to rest. Cutler has no excuses this year. He has the best wide receiving corps in the entire NFL and a top five running back in Matt Forte. The reports out of Chicago are that Cutler was impressive in OTAs. He has all the tools around him and now he needs to use them. Phil Emery has given Cutler an offensive that many teams would kill for. Cutler will be in his second season under Marc Trestman’s system.

 The Bears have had multiple offensive coordinator changes during Cutler's time. He finally has the option to improve upon what he has already learned.  We saw what Cutler could be last year with Trestman before he went down and Josh McCown stole the show for a few games. Cutler is healthier now with an even better offensive line than last year. Mills and Long have a year under their belts now. They were solid last year but there are always bumps in the road for NFL rookies. The Bears also brought in Brian de la Puente over from the Saints to make the line that much better. That being said the ceiling for Jay Cutler is as high as any quarterback in the NFL this coming year.  Do not be surprised if Cutler has a 30 touchdown year with only 15 interceptions. Cutler needs to believe in the system and follow his instincts. Trestman will have his guys ready for week one against Buffalo.  

Chicago Bears Round Up 3/30/14