Chicago Bears News: Martz Confirms Cutler's Helmet Radio Malfunctions

Jay Cutler holds his hands to the sides of his helmet and backs away from the center.  He signals time out as he  storms over to the sidelines.  His lips never stop moving during his walk.  Nor should they.

The Bears have been taking an abnormal amount of time outs this season due to an inability to get the play in to Cutler before the play clock expires.  That’s really saying something, because this is a problem that plagued the Bears all of last season as well. 

Is Lovie Smith vetoing Martz’s play calls?  Is Martz not choosing a play quickly enough?  Is Cutler recognizing a defensive formation that will dominate the play that was called?  None of these possibilities seem to be the case.

Two sources have confirmed that the radio in Cutler’s helmet does not work properly.  Kellen Davis referred to Cutler having problems with his headset in an interview last Wednesday.  He said it’s been a problem that has been going on for some time. 

When the Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs followed up with Mike Martz on this subject, Martz said, "We've always had that problem here for some reason... Like I had the defense on my headset during the game when they were talking and I was trying to call plays."

The defensive frequency is sometimes picked up by Cutler’s headset.  You’ve got to be kidding. 

You’re an NFL charter franchise.  Get some equipment that works.  Replace everything until you solve the problem.  And fire the person in charge of this equipment for being incompetent.  He’s clearly not smart enough to make the equipment function properly or not complaining loudly enough to get it all replaced.  Either way, he’s got to go.

The offensive line play, receiver core and frequent false starts are all a source of embarrassment.  The one problem that can be solved overnight is buying equipment that functions properly.