(USA TODAY Sports)

Jay Cutler is getting benched in favor of Jimmy Clausen.

Benching Jay Cutler solves the Jay Cutler problem, but it doesn’t solve the problem that is the Chicago Bears. The Bears have issues that extend far beyond Cutler. Sure, the $126 million dollar man has his problems on the field, intensified by the scowl that is permanently affixed on his face.

The demise of Cutler reached critical mass on Monday, when he threw three interceptions, put up a season-low passer rating of 55.8, and summarized his entire existence in one beautiful six-second video.

Cutler has been hapless. But so has Marc Trestman. The Bears hired Trestman for his alleged offensive prowess. He replaced Lovie Smith because of the latter’s inability to maximize the offense. With two games remaining, it’s abundantly clear Trestman wasn’t the solution any more than Smith was the problem.

The decision to bench Cutler isn’t an attempt to save the Bears or even Trestman’s job. Clausen isn’t going to fix anyone’s problems. Trestman is offering up Cutler as 2014’s human sacrifice.

Six seasons. Eighty-one games. Ninety-three interceptions. It isn’t a hard sell.

Cutler has been disappointing but hasn’t he always? His numbers in Chicago have been consistent throughout his tenure. The 2014 isn’t an aberration but a continuation of a trend that has existed since 2007 with the Denver Broncos. Jay Cutler throws a lot of interceptions, mixed sporadically with the occasional touchdown. It’s what he’s always done, so shame on the Bears’ front office for giving him millions of dollars with the thought that he would change.

(Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports)

So Cutler is benched, and should be on his way out of Chicago. Now what?

Trestman has been the steward of a dreadful season which came after a stoically mediocre 2013. He’s likely finished as well. If you’re the Bears, why stop at Cutler and Trestman? Keep purging, keep cutting. If there is one thing Trestman has accomplished that can be construed as a positive, it’s that he proved that there is nothing redeeming left on this Bears roster.

Chicago has a bad football team. There’s nothing to maintain and little to build upon. Let the dumpster fire burn to the ground and build anew when the smoke clears.