Because of the new timing of the NFL’s Pro-Bowl, there are a lot of players who end up reaching the annual all-star game. With each passing day, it seems, another player drops out of the game, making a new player a Pro Bowler.
While he’s not going to the Super Bowl, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has dropped out of the Pro Bowl. Coming off of arguably the best season of his career, Bears quarterback Jay Cutler would seemingly be in the running to take the spot. Instead, Teddy Bridgewater and Jameis Winston are headed to Hawaii.
One man's opinion: #Bears QB Jay Cutler should have been named to the Pro Bowl before Teddy Bridgewater and Jameis Winston.
— Adam Jahns (@adamjahns) January 26, 2016
This year, Cutler had a completion percentage of 64.5 and ghrew for 3,659 yards, both the second best numbers he’s posted in his career. He also threw for only 11 interceptions, the lowest of any season where he played more than 10 games.
Making those numbers that much more impressive, Cutler did it all with wide receivers most people have never heard of for most of the season. Injuries sidelined his best targets in Alshon Jeffery, Matt Forte, Martellus Bennett and even rookie Kevin White.
Winston’s numbers were impressive, throwing for nearly 400 more yards than Cutler and 22 touchdowns to Cutler’s 21. However, he was throwing to Mike Evans and former Pro Bowler Vincent Jackson.
Similarly, Bridgewater’s completion percentage and interceptions were slightly better than Cutler’s, but on fewer attempts.
Cutler has only reached one Pro Bowl in his career, getting left seemingly just short in each of the last two years. However, with healthy receivers, the Bears could get their first quarterback to the Pro-Bowl since Jim McMahon in 1985.
