Bears’ Jimmy Clausen in a real pickle

The hope is that Jimmy Clausen will give the Bears a spark and resuscitate coach Marc Trestman’s once-promising offense. The fear is that the unexpected quarterback change will do just the opposite and drag the beaten, beleaguered Bears further into the abyss.

Or maybe it’s the other way around. Whatever, Bears fans again are in the uncomfortable position of not knowing what — or whom — they should be rooting for.

Though the quarterback change added another awkward chapter to this season, Trestman probably doesn’t have much to lose at this point. The Bears’ offense was so noticeably lethargic from the first snap with Jay Cutler at quarterback against the New Orleans Saints that it was difficult to envision any improvement in the final two games.

Unfortunately for Trestman, he has more than a Cutler problem. The move to Clausen has created no buzz at Halas Hall or in the locker room. Sometimes you can feel a sense of anticipation or a sense of relief in these situations. That’s not happening here.

Even placid receiver Alshon Jeffery was a little grumpy when asked if it was debatable whether the change would have a positive or negative impact on the offense.

‘‘No matter what happens out there, you guys are going to say what you want to say about it. So it doesn’t matter,’’ Jeffery said.

But with Cutler demoted, can this team rally around Clausen?

‘‘No matter who’s out there playing quarterback, we’re just trying to get a win,’’ Jeffery said.

That probably best sums up the mood in the locker room.

‘‘We’re all surprised [by the switch],’’ Jeffery said, ‘‘but coach Trestman is the head coach. We’re the players. We just got to go with it.’’

It sure seems the offense can seal Trestman’s fate with another lackluster performance against the Detroit Lions. The only question seems to be if there’s anything the offense or the team in general can do to save his job.

Trestman was as upbeat as he could be Friday, hoping for the best.

‘‘I can’t speak for anybody else,’’ he said when asked if he’s concerned about his players’ response to Cutler’s benching. ‘‘We’ve made a change. Jimmy is going to play. I know each and every guy is playing to win the game. That’s how we look at it — in that positive fashion.’’

For what it’s worth, Trestman liked what he saw after Friday’s practice.

‘‘This is a very business-like team,’’ he said. ‘‘They go back to work, and they’ve done things they’ve done every day after wins and after losses. Quite frankly, that’s how they’ve responded, in a very consistent manner.’’

By now, after a miserable season of one disappointing effort after another, even Trestman seems to know what that optimism is worth. Even he sounded unconvinced when responding to the question, ‘‘How has Jimmy looked?’’

‘‘He’s had a good day-and-a-half of practice,’’ Trestman said with a slight chuckle. ‘‘He’s worked very hard, obviously. And we’ll see how it goes.’’

Indeed we will. But while Trestman at least made Sunday’s game a lot more interesting, the curiosity factor isn’t enough to hide the sad reality that — barring a Clausen miracle — the sooner this season ends, the better. That’s when the big decisions that matter most will be made.

Email: mpotash@suntimes.com

Twitter: @MarkPotash