Todd Collins

The hope is that Jay Cutler will be ready to go this Sundays when the Seattle Seahawks come to Soldier Field. But his status is nothing more than speculation at this point. Remember, he needs to be cleared for a return to football activities by multiple doctors. Lovie Smith was optimistic after the game, but when hasn't Dr. Smith been optimistic?

If Cutler cannot go, you'd think Caleb Hanie will get a turn as the starting quarterback. Todd Collins was that bad and had the Bears not been playing a team as woeful as the Panthers (0-5), they could have been in serious trouble.

The Twitter in-box filled up with suggestions that the Bears cut Collins. There are a couple problems with that. First, you don't get rid of a player unless you have an upgrade in mind. Second, it's a little late in the game to get another quarterback up to speed on Martz's scheme.

The Bears should re-order their depth chart after Cutler. Cutting Collins doesn't make the roster necessarily better. If the Bears elect to go with just two quarterbacks, that's another thing, but the danger of that was put on display against the Giants.

After all the hand-wringing over this, remember this was the first time in a five-year career Cutler has missed a game because of injury. If all goes the Bears' way, it will not matter who is No. 2 or No. 3.