Chicago Bears Hiring of Mike Martz Depends on Jay Cutler's Approval

Does the fact that apparently Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler has a key voice in the Bears O-coordinator search indicate that the inmates are running the asylum?

While Hub Arkush of WSCR radio in Chicago is reporting the hiring of Martz as a done deal, news now comes out that Martz had to travel to Nashville to meet with Cutler to seal the deal.

While Martz has long indicated his desire to become the next Bears coordinator and is Lovie Smith's choice, it is becoming increasingly apparent that GM Jerry Angelo wants his QB to put his stamp of approval on any hire.

On one hand, I can understand this, as Angelo paid a high price for Cutler, both in trade and in subsequent guaranteed money. So, as Cutler goes, so go the Bears and Angelo's reputation.

Still, doesn't Cutler need to be around someone who is willing to stand up to him, so he can mature and become the QB his obvious skills show he can be?

And since when do the players decide who will coach them?

Sure, I'm not naive enough to suggest this is the first time a coach, especially a positional coach, has been hired and/or fired by a star player. But Cutler should have some humility, as he is coming off a terrible season. He is in no position to be telling anyone anything, in my opinion.

But yes, it is important that whoever the Bears hire is someone that Cutler at least respects.

After going through a season where QB coach Pep Hamilton and Cutler had virtually no relationship and Cutler didn't have respect for Ron Turner, it seems reasonable to me that Cutler would be involved in the search for a new O-coordinator.

But after Cutler's first choice, Jeremy Bates, decided to follow Pete Carroll to Seattle, Smith should have told him that you had your chance, now I'm going to hire the best guy out there and deal with it.

And maybe he did, which might explain why there are rumors out there that Smith and Angelo aren't seeing eye to eye over this hire.

Regardless, Martz is the face-saving move that Lovie needs to make at this point. And the fact that Martz was willing to travel to honky-tonk town to meet with his impetuous QB, speaks volumes about how badly he wants to return to coaching.

Meanwhile, is Martz really the best guy for the Bears?

Well, based on Lovie's stated desire to run the ball, the answer would be no.

Not only that, but it seems that Martz's scheme depends on a solid offensive line, something the the Bears simply do not have.

The seven step drop, a hallmark of Martz, means that the line has to hold off impending pass rushers longer. And let's face it, this group does not inspire much confidence in that regard.

This should be interesting, as Martz told the NFL Network after the Bears loss to Green Bay in game one that Cutler "just doesn't get it" and that "somebody needs to talk to" Cutler.

That somebody may be Martz. Well, start talking.