Jay Cutler: Latest News, Rumors, Speculation on QB’s Future with Bears
Published by Timothy Rapp on October 27, 2016
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
Quarterback Jay Cutler does not appear to have a future with the Chicago Bears organization.
Continue for updates.
Bears Reportedly Were Prepared to Keep Cutler on Bench
Thursday, Oct. 27
According to Mike Mulligan of the Chicago Tribune, “Two different league sources say [head coach John] Fox had told friends he was done with Cutler.”
If that’s the case, the feeling isn’t mutual—or at least Cutler hasn’t acknowledged a disconnect publicly.
“There’s never been any strain in our relationship,” Cutler said of Fox, per Chris Emma of CBS Chicago, adding: “We’re on the same page. We just want to win football games.”
Fox also refuted the report, according to Adam Hoge of WGN Radio:
Cutler has been forced back into the starting lineup after Brian Hoyer was placed on injured reserve with a broken arm. As Mulligan reported: “The worst-kept secret is football is that Cutler is only back as a starter because the Bears have nowhere else to turn.”
Cutler acknowledged as much. When asked about Fox’s putting him back in the starting lineup, Cutler responded (per Emma): “He doesn’t have a choice, I guess, at this point. Brian is out, so I’ve got to go.”
Indeed, the other option would be Matt Barkley, who finished 6-of-15 with 81 yards and two interceptions against the Green Bay Packers in Week 7. That performance was a reminder that Barkley isn’t a long-term option at the position, and that the Bears will be in much better hands with Cutler at the helm down the stretch.
Cutler, 33, is under contract with the Bears through the 2020 season and will represent a cap hit of $16 million in 2017, $17 million in 2018, $20 million in 2019 and $21.7 million in 2020, according to Spotrac.com. None of that money is guaranteed, however, meaning the Bears can get out of Cutler’s massive contract without absorbing any significant hits to their cap.
They’ll assuredly take that option and likely will turn to the draft as they look for a future franchise quarterback. They may also turn to free agency for a stopgap if they draft a quarterback and he needs time to develop, though Hoyer could also fill that role.
Cutler, meanwhile, is now essentially providing film for any teams potentially interested in signing a veteran quarterback this offseason. He has half of a season to prove he can still be an effective starting quarterback in the NFL. If he doesn’t convince teams, he may hit free agency seeking backup positions or, worse, find no market for his services at all.
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