Gregg Rosenthal

Sometime during Jay Cutler’s tumultuous offseason, his image as a petulant superstar overwhelmed his reputation as a franchise quarterback.

Those caught up in headlines understandably don’t appreciate how Cutler and his agent Bus Cook engineered his ugly escape from Denver to Chicago. So they connected Cutler’s questionable off-field behavior with his potential on it.

To this, we say: Get real.

Jay Cutler, the player, was worth the trouble. And he will get the opportunity to prove it.

Cutler makes throws for which there is no defense. Perhaps no player since Brett Favre (also a Cook client) has more ability to pull off more gasp-inducing completions. Like Favre, Cutler can be accused of some diva-like behavior and perhaps being too aggressive.

But that is a trade-off that most GMs would gladly take. Jerry Angelo is one of them, and he should be commended for pulling off the best player acquisition since the Saints signed Drew Brees.

Pro Bowl quarterbacks with potential to be the league’s best simply aren’t traded three years into their career, at least until this offseason. Now Cutler will have to use all his skills to do something he wasn’t required to in Denver: prop up his offensive teammates.

The Bears finished 14th in points last season, but that covered up issues in yards and yards-per-play. Running back Matt Forte is a well-rounded foundation to build around, but Cutler is downgrading significantly at receiver.

Consider this wideout corps, listed in order of their place on the depth chart:

Devin Hester

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The Bears are gambling by reducing Hester’s return duties in an effort to jam him into a “No. 1” receiver role. Hester has made strides and will be a nice match for Cutler’s big arm, but he’s still raw. He would fit better in a supporting role.

Earl Bennett
The second year pro has the same amount of career receptions as your mailman. A teammate of Cutler’s at Vanderbilt, Bennett will be asked to run possession routes. Handing him a starting job is a leap of faith considering he couldn’t beat out Marty Booker and Brandon Lloyd last year.

Rashied Davis
This former Arena leaguer had a career high 35 catches in 2009. He'll be the No. 3 option.

Johnny Knox/Juaquin Iglesias
This tandem sounds like a sweet boy band, but they are mid-round rookies with a lot to prove.

The entire group has fewer than 2,000 career yards, so Cutler should lean heavily on tight end Greg Olsen. He has flashed excellent red zone skills as a pro, but hasn’t produced consistently. The third-year pro will be a huge part of the offense over the middle because of the lack of options outside.

Cutler’s job is to make these guys look better than they really are, because there are few weaker units in the league. Good protection would give Cutler a fighting chance, but there are just as many question marks on the offensive line.

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Future Hall of Famer Orlando Pace was signed from St. Louis. He’s struggled to stay healthy the last few years, but he will be worth the gamble if he can play at 75 percent of his former ability. Another expected starter signed in free agency, guard Frank Omiyale, has started one career game. Chicago’s first-round pick from last year, tackle Chris Williams, is also a mystery after missing his rookie season because of a back injury.

This group has talent, but it will be a challenge for them to play cohesively early in the season. This presents yet another challenge for Cutler.

Since the offense needs time to grow together, the Bears would love to lean on their defense. But Lovie Smith’s unit was a huge disappointment last season and is at a crossroads.