LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- While the Green Bay Packers try to figure out what’s wrong with two-time MVP Aaron Rodgers and the Dallas Cowboys debate whether to bench red-hot Dak Prescott when Tony Romo is healthy, the quarterback situation in Chicago is much less compelling.

When you’re talking about benching the uber-conservative Brian Hoyer in favor of enigmatic Jay Cutler, it can’t really be called a “controversy.”

Whatever it is probably will wait until at least next week, as Cutler’s sprained right thumb hasn’t healed sufficiently to even force John Fox to make a decision before Thursday’s game at Lambeau Field. Cutler did not practice on Tuesday -- the team’s only “full” workout prior to Week 7.

But unless Hoyer can find a way to reach the end zone Thursday against the Packers, Fox’s decision shouldn’t be too difficult.

Hoyer is efficient. He has passed for 300-plus yards four straight weeks and has no interceptions in 189 pass attempts. But although Hoyer’s quarterback rating is a robust 100.8, the Bears rank dead last in scoring (16.8). They routinely settle for field goals instead of touchdowns, partly because of the conservative nature in which Hoyer runs the offense. Every quarterback must value the football, but taking certain calculated risks is equally important. That is where a slight disconnect exists with Hoyer.

“I’m not about taking chances, risking the football,” Hoyer said on Tuesday. “The No. 1 priority is taking care of the football. Whenever you start to turn the football over -- I learned the hard way in a playoff game last year [Hoyer had four interceptions in Houston’s playoff loss to Kansas City] -- you don’t give yourself a chance to win. So even as frustrated as we are, trying to score touchdowns in the red area, you still don’t want to take points off the board. It’s us getting back, working hard at it and executing when it gets to game time.”

Of course, Cutler is probably too reckless for Fox, which speaks to the veteran head coach’s comfort level with Hoyer. Over the course of 99 regular-season games, Cutler has fired 106 career interceptions in a Bears uniform. In 2016, Cutler turned the ball over three times in seven quarters before the thumb injury became too much to handle.

There is no perfect solution for Fox. Hoyer’s numbers are better. But Cutler makes more impact plays based on arm strength, athleticism and overall natural ability.

Neither quarterback is the long-term answer in Chicago, making the debate feel hollow.

It has been that kind of season for the Bears, whose lack of a succession plan for Cutler has been punctuated by lopsided losses to rookie quarterbacks.

Sure, Cutler’s guaranteed money comes off the books after this season, making him easier to move, but then what? Maybe the Bears get lucky in the draft with a quarterback, maybe they don’t. Meanwhile, Prescott, Carson Wentz and others will be preparing for their sophomore seasons.

But quarterback is just part of the problem for the 1-5 Bears, who set a franchise record by extending their home losing streak to seven straight earlier in the season.

This team is lacking in many areas, and those weaknesses were on display in the Bears’ depressing 17-16 loss to Jacksonville on Sunday. The Bears suffer from an endless stream of mental mistakes that are exacerbated by their shortage of talent. The Bears have to find playmakers on both sides of the ball.

But it all begins at quarterback.

The Bears cannot meet expectations under Fox unless they find their quarterback of the future. If the recent slide continues, the Bears will own a top-10 draft pick for the third straight year, but given general manager Ryan Pace’s track record in the first round (wide receiver Kevin White and linebacker Leonard Floyd), things still could get worse before they get better.