Most people laughed off the possibility that the Chicago Bears could pull off a trade with quarterback Jay Cutler. The excuses were plentiful. He's too old, too banged up, too sour and too unpredictable. All fair evaluations, but it doesn't change the NFL status quo. Effective quarterbacks are hard to find. For all his red flags, Cutler can be effective at times.
He was excellent in 2016 under difficult circumstances, throwing for over 3,600 yards and 21 touchdowns with just 11 interceptions. Unfortunately another change at offensive coordinator stunted his progress again and he regressed this past season, made worse by two separate injuries and inconsistent performances.
So convincing any team to invest a draft pick, even a late round one will prove difficult for Chicago. GM Ryan Pace has shown he can pull such things off before. It's just a matter of timing and finding the right fit. According to new predictions, it seems two teams have emerged as the most probable new homes.
While brainstorming who the Bears might be seeking out for their new quarterback, ESPN columnist Mike Sandoval also covered what they might do regarding their old one in Cutler. Many still struggle to believe that Chicago will be able to deal the 33-year old. He's coming off shoulder surgery and a rather ugly 2016 season during which he threw more interceptions than touchdowns. Nonetheless there is still a chance it can happen.
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When healthy Cutler remains among the most gifted throwers of the football in the NFL. He does have a tendency to get hot from time to time, breaking out for big games. The problem has always been consistency. So much of his success or failure has depended on the coaching he gets. It's for this reason, and a few others, that Sandoval believes two teams hold the greatest likelihood of making a cheap deal for him.
"The 49ers are flush with salary-cap space, so taking on Cutler's $16 million cap charge would be no problem for them, especially with Colin Kaepernick's $14.5 million base salary coming off the books under this scenario. San Francisco also owns an extra pick in each of the draft's final two rounds, so giving up a sixth-rounder is about as easy as it could be. New 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan was not with Denver back in 2006 when his father coached the Broncos and drafted Cutler, but the connection doesn't hurt. The Jets, meanwhile, do not own an extra sixth-round pick this year, but they do own two picks in the third round, so they would still have seven selections if they made this deal. Cutler's salary would only slightly exceed the $12 million average for former starter Ryan Fitzpatrick. The Jets could still draft a quarterback while keeping 2016 second-round choice Christian Hackenberg. New quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates coached the position for the Broncos when Cutler was in Denver, a connection that wouldn't hurt in this case."There has been word that Cutler would threaten to shoot down any attempt by the Bears to trade him, preferring to choose his own team. However, that's hard to imagine. His odds of finding a contender with an open starting job are beyond remote. Especially with his reputation. By accepting a trade to either of those teams he would enter familiar surroundings in some facet and also be able to keep his current contract as is. The primary goal around dealing for him is to buy time. Both San Francisco and the Jets have significant jobs ahead of them in rebuilding their current rosters. Not exactly an idea place for a young quarterback to get his feet wet for the first time. Cutler has seen it all in his career. He's tough, smart and will at least keep them in some games. A perfect bridge option until they more ready to go hunting for the real franchise guy.
