Marc Trestman's reputation as a quarterback whisperer endeared him to the Chicago Bears as they built their franchise around Jay Cutler's strong right arm. The pairing has been a positive one for Cutler, even though he predictably remains an inconsistent player. But after watching the Bears endure a 51-23 embarrassment at New England in Week 8, it's getting clearer where this is headed. Cutler's strong right arm is going to pull down Trestman in Chicago if the coach isn't careful.
This is less an indictment of Cutler than it is a criticism of the Bears' insistence upon betting big on him without sufficient insurance. It's also an opportunity to consider how the Bears should proceed as they try to salvage this season and build a foundation for the future -- one that can still include Trestman and Cutler as part of a winning formula.
That's where we begin my weekly look at 10 takeaways from around the league, one that also sorts through situations in Atlanta, Seattle and beyond.
1. Trestman needs to adjust his formula with help from general manager Phil Emery.
When the Bears committed $18 million a year to Cutler last offseason, they assumed Trestman could help get the best from the quarterback more consistently. That obviously isn't going to happen, even though the Bears have armed Cutler with weaponry far beyond what Tom Brady has had available to him while tossing 14 touchdown passes without an interception over his past four games.
Trestman now must prove he's more than a gifted playcaller and quarterback coach. He must put together game plans designed to protect an undermanned defense. He must realize it's tough to outscore opponents consistently when your quarterback isn't consistent enough with his mechanics or decision-making. "Trestman has to nurture the defense the same way he has nurtured his quarterback," a veteran coach said after the Bears' record dropped to 3-4.