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Bears bench Jay Cutler, start Jimmy Clausen

Jimmy Clausen, Micheal Spurlock

Chicago Bears quarterback Jimmy Clausen (8) throws a touchdown pass to wide receiver Micheal Spurlock (18) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday, Aug. 8, 2014, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

AP

The Bears’ collapse has reached epic proportions, as Jay Cutler has lost his job as Chicago’s starting quarterback.

Cutler has been benched and Jimmy Clausen will start on Sunday against the Lions, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

For Cutler to get benched after playing just 14 games into the enormous contract he signed this offseason demonstrates just how big the mess in Chicago is. That contract may cost both Bears G.M. Phil Emery and Bears coach Marc Trestman their jobs.

And Cutler’s play has already cost him his job. Whether Cutler has any future in Chicago or anywhere else in the NFL remains to be seen, and the Bears owe Cutler a guaranteed salary of $15.5 million next season whether he’s on their team or not.

But at the present, Cutler is out, and Clausen is the Bears’ starting quarterback.