Jay Cutler

John Fox is the first Bears coach who isn't serving up platitudes when it comes to Jay Cutler.

It's a results-based business and Fox would rather see how things play out for the quarterback. He might be new to town but Fox is just as aware as every Bears fan what has happened over the previous five seasons.

Cutler has to do a better job of protecting the football. He has to play with a greater degree of consistency. He needs to be more productive. If he accomplishes all that under his fourth offensive coordinator, Adam Gase, he ought to enjoy success. Otherwise, the Bears will have to take the plunge into a search for a replacement, what some argued they should have done after general manager Ryan Pace took over.

One voice that you wouldn't expect to be bullish on Cutler is one of his ex-coordinators, one of many assistants that have filtered through Halas Hall since 2009.

Mike Martz predicts Cutler is poised for a big season. Yes, the same Martz that Cutler delivered a choice profanity at during an NBC broadcast in 2011, Martz's final season with the organization and his last job in coaching.

"In Jay's defense, whether you like Jay or you don't like Jay, there just weren't any players here," Martz said. "He just didn't have that much of a supporting cast and he is in a position now where he has an offensive coordinator that can help him and he's got better players. I think this could be a great year for him."

Martz reasons that with the skill players surrounding Cutler, including wide receivers Alshon Jeffery, Eddie Royal and Kevin White, tight end Martellus Bennett and running back Matt Forte, the quarterback is destined for a breakout year, the story said. However, that cast is similar to what Cutler had last year with terrible results. Either way, Cutler falls into QB2 range heading into drafts and is 19th on our list. The group around him at least gives him potential to put up solid fantasy numbers at a very cheap price for potential owners.