Brandon Marshall says Jay Cutler was a bad QB who lacked leadership

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On a morning when Bears fans are balancing excitement about a Week 2 win over the Broncos with concerns for starting quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, former Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall appeared on ESPN's First Take and blasted Chicago's previous swing at a franchise passer.

Jay Cutler, who played eight seasons with the Bears and finished his tenure with the team as the franchise record holder in almost every major passing category, ended his time in Chicago with a 51-51 record. He never quite became the franchise savior he was supposed to be. Marshall offered up some reasons why.

"I had to be the company guy with Jay Cutler," Marshall said in response to Stephen A. Smith. "Now I can talk real, Jay Cutler was bad."

Not exactly what Bears fans expected to hear on a victory Monday.

"He can make every throw, he's one of the smartest guys I've ever been around," Marshall said. "But it comes down to this heart right here, and leadership. Galvanizing the team."

Marshall provided examples of what made Cutler frustrating, citing missed throws in practice that led to Cutler blaming his receivers. Marshall said other quarterbacks he played with, like Eli Manning and Russell Wilson, would shoulder the responsibility of similarly failed plays.

He even added that he'd run through a wall for Ryan Fitzpatrick, whom he played with during his time as a Jet. It's pretty clear he wouldn't do that for Cutler.

Marshall's characterization of Cutler shouldn't come as much of a surprise. The shoulder-shrugging gunslinger was hardly ever praised for his passion or leadership skills, and that's probably why he never reached his fullest potential as an NFL quarterback.

It'll be interesting to see if Cutler replies to Marshall's comments. It's more likely, however, that he just won't care.

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