Jay Cutler: 5 Reasons Why Cutler Will Bounce Back for the Chicago Bears in 2011

Jay Cutler has been getting a lot of heat this week from the media after injuring his knee and coming out of the NFC Championship Game.

Cutler appeared to be moving well enough to play during the series that he played in the second half, but the medical staff took him out of the game.

Players, including Philip Rivers and Maurice Jones-Drew, and the media have both taken their shots at Cutler over the past few days, but it is time to cut the Bears quarterback some slack.

Here are five reasons why.

Mike Martz

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 16: Quarterback Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears talks with offensive coordinator Mike Martz against the Seattle Seahawks in the 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field on January 16, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo b

Mike Martz is an offensive genius. Everywhere Martz has gone, he has been able to get production out of his offense, especially his quarterback. Cutler had a successful year under Martz in his first year in the system.

In Cutler's first season in Chicago, he had 26 interceptions and 27 touchdowns. While under Martz, he was able to lower his interception total from 26 down to 16 (with four in one game). His touchdowns dropped by four, but overall, Cutler seemed to take much better care of the football.

Another year under Martz will only make Cutler better, and he should continue to improve.

Chicago's Front Office

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

CINCINNATI - NOVEMBER 21: Chad Ochocinco #85 of the Cincinnati Bengals watches the final minute of the Bengals 49-31 loss to the Buffalo Bills at Paul Brown Stadium on November 21, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Everyone in Chicago knows that the missing piece on the offensive side of the ball is an elite receiver  The Bears front office will do everything in its power to add that missing piece this offseason.

Whether the Bears attempt to trade for Vincent Jackson or acquire Sidney Rice, Braylon Edwards or Chad Ochocinco through free agency, the Bears will add another weapon for Cutler.

Cutler's numbers under Martz were similar to his numbers in Denver, where he had two dynamic receivers in Eddie Royal and Brandon Marshall. The comparisons between the receivers he had in Denver and what he has in Chicago are night and day.

The Offensive Line

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Quarterback Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears attempts to avoid a sack by Cullen Jenkins #77 of the Green Bay Packers in the first quarter of the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois.

The Bears' offensive line improved by great strides as the season went along but still finished as one of the worst-ranked offensive lines in the game.

The Bears will be in position to draft one of the best guards or tackles in the draft when they select at the end of the first round. Expect them to draft an offensive lineman and shore up Cutler's blind side.

More time for Cutler to throw and less of Cutler running for his life is exactly what the doctor ordered.

Maturity

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Quarterback Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears reacts after throwing an incomplete pass in the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois.

Jay Cutler has been far from mature since entering the NFL back in 2006 under Mike Shanahan in Denver. However, under the guidance of Mike Martz and Lovie Smith, Cutler has grown up, and images of him and Rivers jawing at each other are in the past.

Cutler is still young at only 27 years old and still has room to grow. Cutler has only been a starter in the NFL for four seasons and has already shown that he can carry his team to a division title.

Jay Cutler

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 16: Quarterback Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears celebrates his six-yard touchdown run with teammate Rashied Davis #81 against the Seattle Seahawks in the second quarter of the 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field on

Jay Cutler is a competitor, no matter what people said about him after his MCL injury. The guy is a fighter and has the heart of a champion.

Cutler is one of the most competitive guys in the league, and he showed that often during his games against Philip Rivers when he was back in Denver.

Cutler loves to play the game, and his body language on the sideline after being taken out of the game was a clear indication that he was upset and disheartened. 

Cutler will not allow himself to fail. He will bounce back, and the Bears will be in the playoffs again next year. Will they be a Super Bowl team? Maybe, maybe not, but that is all up to the front office to put the pieces in place to put this team over the top.