Getting ugly at Halas Hall

The future of Bears coach Marc Trestman and general manager Phil Emery were cast into further questioning this week, when offensive coordinator Aaron Kromer and the staff dealt with his awkward admittance that he has disparaged struggling quarterback Jay Cutler to an NFL Network reporter.

Kromer's tearful apology to the players, and his uncomfortable press conference Friday, drew further attention to what has been a tumultuous tenure for Trestman and Emery, which several sources has included a failure of leadership.

While Cutler took the high road when he met with the media Friday, privately he has been fuming at this latest media tempest, and it hard to imagine him working with Kromer beyond the duration of this last season. Furthermore, clauses included in Bears coaching contracts regarding guidelines for dealing with the media could result in a case for Kromer's termination “for cause,” while Cutler will be watching very closely to see what changes, if any, occur to the staff, with his contract essentially guaranteed through 2015.

The episode with Kromer highlights what has been a bizarre season for the Bears, who have suffered numbers blowout defeats. There has been little to no pushback from the head coach on general manager against slumping star players, sources said, Trestman's laid-back style to allowing players to govern their own locker room has blown up -- with the roster construction devoid of necessary chemistry -- and some mistrust brewing between players and the staff. .................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/writer/jason-la-canfora/24886866/jay-cutler-upset-over-festering-issues-between-bears-players-coaches