Reports: Cutler Benched by Bears for Week 16 vs. Lions

With the Chicago Bears sitting at 5-9 and facing an offseason full of firings and coaching moves, Marc Trestman apparently has added more fuel to the fires of controversy surrounding the team as multiple reports have emerged that he has benched starting quarterback Jay Cutler. 

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Adam Schefter of ESPN was the first to report that Cutler had been benched in favor of veteran back-up quarterback Jimmy Clausen: 

To repeat and now confirmed: Bears starting QB Jimmy Clausen over Jay Cutler on Sunday vs. Detroit, per sources.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 17, 2014

According to Chris Mortensen of ESPN, Cutler was informed of the decision this morning by Trestman: 

Bears coach Marc Trestman told Jay Cutler this morning that he was being benched this week.

— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) December 18, 2014

During his press availability on Wednesday afternoon, Trestman conceded that he hasn't had the same success with Cutler that he has with other quarterbacks during his various coaching stints, but he didn't explicitly say that he was benching the quarterback. 

"That's evident I haven't up to this point," he told reporters. "Am I working at it? Yes. We've seen moments but we haven't seen it on a consistent basis. I can't hid from that. I haven't been able, and we haven't been able to do the things that we want to get done, (and) we're working towards that."

Grizzly Detail has been unable to independently verify the report, but local scribes are chiming in with confirmation:

Not needed. But league source confirms #Bears informed Jay Cutler today that Jimmy Clausen will be starting. Shock waves at Halas Hall.

— Adam Jahns (@adamjahns) December 18, 2014

The benching comes after Cutler put up one of his worst games of the season against the New Orleans Saints Monday, throwing three interceptions. Overall on the season however, his numbers aren't as bad as they've been cracked up to be. His 66.1% completion percentage is the highest of his career, as are his 28 touchdown passes and his 89.5 quarterback rating.