One of the bigger decisions at hand for the Chicago Bears going into this 2017 off-season is what to do with Jay Cutler. The 33-year old quarterback failed to capitalize on his last chance with the team in 2016. He endured more of the injury problems and erratic play that marked most of his time here. Now the feeling is stronger than ever that the front office and coaching staff may be looking for the exit door from him.
The question is how? Most are assuming GM Ryan Pace will reach the conclusion to cut him some time before the new league year begins in March. However, some are holding out hope that a taker might be found for a possible trade. In spite of his inconsistent track record, Cutler is still one of the most talented quarterbacks in the league. There has to be at least one team out there who might be willing to take a risk on him for modest compensation.
Thus far the possibilities are significant stretches, either due to money concerns or him just not being the best fit. That may be changing though. A recent development with the Arizona Cardinals makes that the case as word is coming out quarterback Carson Palmer is considering retirement.
"The season for the Cardinals has been over for several weeks, but a huge part of their future still hangs in the balance. As Super Bowl LI approaches and most teams are deep in planning for 2017, Arizona's brass still don't have an answer on whether quarterback Carson Palmer or wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald will return for 2017 or retire. Both are contemplating walking away and have been for some time. Neither has told the team if he plans to return, though both Palmer and Fitzgerald have had frequent conversations with coaches and team decision-makers about it, sources said."It's important to remember that Palmer is 37-years old. His team is coming off a rather difficult season, finishing 7-8-1. This after going to the NFC championship the year before. As players get older, enduring such disappointments becomes magnified. Are they willing to put their bodies through the grind for another year when it looks like the team may have peaked? It's not an easy decision, and one Palmer seems to be contemplating. Jody Oehler of Fox Sports 910 Phoenix dropped an interesting bomb shell that, while not definitive certainly sets the stage for a Palmer exit.
If that is indeed the case, then the Cardinals are in a serious dilemma. They don't have a top 10 pick to become a major player for a quarterback in the draft. They also aren't heavy on cap space either. With Fitzgerald possibly leaving on top of that? It makes their argument for luring in a good free agent even harder. That is why the trade route may be their best bet.
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First of all, rest assured the Cardinals are one of those teams that would be very open to trading for Cutler. For one he would come relatively cheap. Given his age and injury concerns, odds are it wouldn't take more than a fifth round pick to get him. Secondly, Arizona has gone down this road before. Don't forget they pulled off a similar deal for Palmer in 2013. It was a low-risk gamble that paid off huge. If it worked once, why not again? Besides, Cutler is an ideal fit for them. Head coach Bruce Arians has developed a particular style over his many years in the NFL. He's an offensive mind built in the same facet of late Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis. He believes in having a big, strong-armed quarterback who can strike down the field. There are few, if any quarterbacks in the NFL with a bigger gun than Cutler. In fact he received honors for having the longest throw of 2016 according to the NFL's Next Gen Stats. It came when he heaved a Hail Mary 65 yards through the air against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers right before halftime. [video width="854" height="480" mp4="https://www.sportsmockery.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Cutlers-Ridiculous-Halftime-Hail-Mary-TD-to-Meredith-Bears-vs.-Buccaneers-NFL.mp4"][/video] Arians has coached the likes of Peyton Manning, Ben Roethlisberger and Andrew Luck. It's not like he hasn't seen players of Cutler's caliber before. He'd know exactly how to implement the skill set into his system. The fact that Jay would have David Johnson at running back easing the pressure would only make things easier. Signing off on such a plan wouldn't take much swaying from either side.AUTHOR'S REACTION
Few players make more sense for the Cardinals than Cutler does. It's such a natural, obvious fit. They get a veteran on the cheap, freeing up their front office to focus on other positions in the draft. Positions like wide receiver, presuming Fitzgerald leaves. Besides that Cutler would actually be cheaper financially too. Palmer currently carries a salary cap hit of just over $24 million. Retiring would bring that off the books. Cutler would cost just $16 million on his current deal. A deal that runs through 2020.From the Bears' perspective it's a no-brainer. They get a draft pick in return for a soon-to-be 34-year old quarterback. It saves them $14 million in cap space with his contract coming off the books. Lastly, it gives them a clean slate to start over under center for the first time in eight years. There really is no down side to this, provided the team is serious about moving on. If they're blowing smoke, which is always possible, then this is pointless. Then again Pace has developed a reputation for pulling off unexpected trades before. He managed to unload players like Brandon Marshall and Jonathan Bostic. Players whom many saw as untradeable for various reasons. If he could get a draft pick out of them, what's stopping him from doing the same with a quarterback who can still put together some impressive performances? There has to be one team out there willing to take a chance. None fits the means, motive and opportunity more than the Arizona Cardinals.
