Hopes were high for the Chicago Bears before the start of the 2009 season. Having acquired a stud quarterback in Jay Cutler, the Bears were poised to eliminate and overcome the big question mark that may have plagued them in recent seasons. Kyle Orton and Rex Grossman were average quarterbacks at best, diminishing the effectiveness of an amazing defensive unit and great running game, especially after the emergence of Matt Forte.
The biggest hurdle the 2009 Bears could have faced was at wide receiver, but Devin Hester and Earl Bennett were adequate enough with the presence of Jay Cutler, not to mention Greg Olsen, a strong and developing force in the tight end position.
The Bears opened the 2009 season with a visit to Green Bay to take on the Packers on Sunday Night Football. The expectations for this game were very high, with some even favoring the Bears to win. Unfortunately, the team collapsed during this game, largely due to the ineffectiveness of Jay Cutler, who threw a total of four interceptions during this game.
Adding to this was the injury to Pro Bowl defender Brian Uhrlacher, out for the entire 2009 season. This is a devastating blow for the Bears.
Cutler redeemed himself in the team’s second game. Facing the defending Super Bowl champions, Cutler and the Bears looked like a different team, finding their way to a 17-14 victory over the Steelers, highlighted by a fourth-quarter comeback in which the team scored 10 points.
This was a good way for the team to redeem itself, and the Bears suddenly have a clean slate going forward.
