I don't know if you can play on a sprained MCL so no comment on that. I think Cutler is plenty tough, but the problem is perception.
1. Cutler never made/makes an effort to be liked. He walks around mopey or arrogant all the time. He could have tried to be more open and outgoing to the media and public as it would buy him a lot of grace now.
2. If the docs said he couldn't go back in, he could have at least shown some fire on the sideline for his team, help his young QBs, get people fired up...something! He just moped around and rode his bike with a cape on. Reminiscient of LT.
3. Cutler is who we thought who was and we let him off the hook! - j/k on that one
You can't really play effectively on a sprained MCL as a mobile QB. You can walk kind of normally, even run, but try to make a cut and it's over. The way the turnstile offensive line was going, the Bears needed a QB with mobility like Ben to avoid the constant pressure. Rivers is a more pocket passer.
Cutler was missing wide-open targets all the time in the first half. They could have just pulled him for ineffectiveness and used the backup to give them the best chance to win that particular game.
The big story should have been why Hanie, the more mobile QB, wasn't #2 on the depth chart over an old, struggling Collins. That and the terrible 3rd and 3 call with the end around.
Actually, if you followed the post-game interview, Hanie said he was disappointed that the TV pretty much focused on the 5 second clips where Cutler was sitting around. In actuality, Hanie said that Cutler was helping him out and talking to him and encouraging him on every series. Goes to show you what a hatchet job the media can do if they want to.
Cutler is aloof and doesn't smile and throws way too many INTs from bad decisions but his physical toughness shouldn't have been an issue, especially after absorbing 50+ sacks during the season. And lol at Deion Sanders talking about toughness after Sanders was notorious for avoiding hits. Or MJD who sat out the final 2 crucial games with a bum knee.