Trestman on benching Cutler for Clausen: 'I think we need a lift at quarterback'

Jimmy Clausen will be the starting quarterback when the Chicago Bears face the Detroit Lions on Sunday afternoon, head coach Marc Trestman confirmed on Thursday.

"I think we need a lift at quarterback. We need a spark," Trestman said in a news conference, as relayed by ESPN. "(The) weight of the world shouldn't be on the shoulders of Jimmy Clausen."

Trestman made it clear the decision to bench starter Jay Cutler was performance-based. Cutler, who will serve as Clausen's backup, has struggled to piece together consistent performances all season and his 24 turnovers lead the NFL.

Clausen struggled miserably in his rookie year with the Carolina Panthers, throwing three touchdowns and nine interceptions. He has yet to see any meaningful action after his disastrous first campaign. 

Cutler, for his part, wasn't expecting to witness Sunday's game from the sidelines.

"(I was) shocked at first and then disappointed. I didn't see it coming," he said.

"I'm still disappointed whether they pay me or don't. I don't like being in this situation. I don't like having to sit up here and answer questions about me not being able to play on Sunday."

The nine-year veteran pivot told reporters he hopes to stay in Chicago, but when asked if he thought he might've played his last game with the Bears, Cutler admitted that such thoughts definitely crossed his mind.

"You sign a seven-year deal, and you think you're going to be here for a while," Cutler said. "I'm still hopeful that's going to ring true, that we'll have another shot at this. But after this last game, a lot could happen."