Even though people saw it coming for a while now, it's still no less easy to digest.
Jay Cutler has been the starting quarterback on the
Chicago Bears for eight seasons. Nobody else in franchise history started more games or threw for more yards and touchdowns. That garners a certain degree of respect for the man, especially given the high number of sacks and hits he endured across that span. Yet it changes nothing in the end.
The Cutler era is all but over as the team is officially exploring trade possibilities for the 33-year old veteran.
https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/834176174632861699
Odds are given his age and health history the Bears won't be able to recoup much more than a late round pick, likely no higher than a fifth rounder. Some believe even that is unlikely since teams now know the team is certain to cut him if they don't get any offers. However, quarterbacks are a prime commodity in this league, even older ones. Given his friendly contract, cheap price and still considerable talent it would only take one team to make something happen.
Here are five destinations that hold some degree of possibility for him.
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Arizona Cardinals
They may have said there is "zero interest" in Cutler but the Arizona Cardinals could easily have been lying. The bottom line is there is no harm in having interest. Sure, Carson Palmer remains their starter but for how much longer? He's 37-years old and came close to retirement this offseason. Then there's the fact that he has an extensive history of health concerns that can crop up at any time. Having backups options never hurts.
Cutler is four years younger than Palmer, has a stronger arm and is also more mobile. Head coach Bruce Arians loves to run an offensive system built around the deep strike. Few in the NFL are a better fit for it than Jay. The tricky part is his $16 million cap hit. They have over $32 million in space but likely would prefer not to eat half of it on a quarterback who won't see the field unless their starter is hurt. So they likely would have to ask Cutler if he'd take a pay cut.
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San Francisco 49ers
Means, motive and opportunity apply to crimes most of the time, but also do to trades as well. The San Francisco 49ers are in desperate need of help at quarterback. Why would they even consider Cutler though? Easy. They can afford his cap number without even a hiccup since they have over $80 million in space. Also their new head coach Kyle Shanahan is the son of Mike Shanahan, the man who drafted and developed Cutler in Denver.
It's not hard to imagine Kyle being able to build an effective system around Jay. The move would also buy the 49ers time. By spending a late round pick to get him, they'll be free to use to their cap space and higher draft choices to revamp a badly depleted roster. Shanahan himself said the team isn't basing their goals around the QB position this year. There is lots of work to do everywhere. Why subject a young quarterback to that?
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Buffalo Bills
The messages coming from the Buffalo Bills headquarters are mixed. Nobody is entirely sure what the team plans to do with their current starter Tyrod Taylor. Some believes he's likely to stay put under the new coaching staff. Others think the team doesn't want to pay the next surge of guaranteed money due in his contract this March. One thing is clear. If they let him walk, their options on the roster become limited.
E.J. Manuel is officially a bust as a former first round pick. Then there is totally unproven second-year man Cardale Jones. Neither strike as guys who can help this team make a playoff push. So rather than just put it on them, why not bring in some veteran competition like Cutler? He wouldn't be owed any guaranteed money. A post-June 1st cut of Taylor would free up $12 million. It's not an unreasonable move.
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New York Jets
So far the team that has had their name connected to Cutler the most as a possible destination is the New York Jets. The reasons aren't hard to understand. The Jets have been a refuge for veteran former Bears the past couple years including Brandon Marshall and
Matt Forte. Besides that the team is in a transition phase at quarterback. Ryan Fitzpatrick appears done and Bryce Petty failed in his audition last season.
That just leaves Christian Hackenberg. The former second round pick may have a future as the starter on that team but his development has been slow. Not a surprise given how much he deteriorated during his time at Penn State. If the Jets don't want to risk throwing him out there yet, then bringing in a bridge veteran like Cutler makes perfect sense. The best part is they might not even have to give up a draft pick.
By offering up defensive end Sheldon Richardson, who is expected to be on the trade block, would cut Cutler's cap hit in half. Then they'd just have to do a little extra maneuvering to create the remaining room.
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Houston Texans
It's really not such a crazy idea. Think about it this way. Is Jay Cutler a better quarterback option for the Houston Texans than Brock Osweiler? Almost every local and national expert will say yes. Despite his faults, Cutler just knows how to make more plays than the former Broncos second round pick does. Give Jay a pair of dynamic weapons like DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller and a defense that can survive his turnover issues and it's a perfect match.
They'd only have to give up a late pick, less than the high round choice(s) they'd need to get a top rookie or in a bold trade for Jimmy Garoppolo. Of course Tony Romo is an option but there's no guarantees there. Houston has enough cap space to handle Jay's contract and can create more if need be. It's a bold gamble for them but one with a higher degree of success than most of their other options.
