NFL Trade Rumors: Bears begin shopping Jay Cutler
By Ross O'Keefe
Per Jeff Darlington of ESPN, the Chicago Bears are reportedly interested in trading quarterback Jay Cutler
The Bears are interested in receiving compensation quarterback Jay Cutler, and the New York Jets have been one of the early contenders. Both teams have quarterback needs, but the Bears just want Cutler off their hands and to try to free up future cap space. Meanwhile, the Jets are just looking for a solution to their long-standing issues at the quarterback position.
I’m told by league sources Bears have now begun actively shopping Cutler, which isn’t surprising, but it does require some context:
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) February 21, 2017
However, Cutler may not be worth the trouble for the Jets. He struggled mightily in the 2016 season when he did play, and threw four touchdowns to five interceptions. He only appeared in five games the entire season, fighting various injuries throughout. He did have a pretty good 2015 season, throwing 21 touchdowns to 11 interceptions en route to having the best QB rating of his career. But there are no signs he is ready to return to that form.
The only reason why Cutler is still in Chicago is because of the seven-year, $126.7 million contract he signed in 2013, and that made him extremely hard to cut or trade. But this year, trading Cutler will free up a whopping $14 million in cap space for the Bears, and incur only about $2 million in dead money.
The Jet – or any other team – would be wise to try to restructure his contract should he be traded to them, as his current cap hit is set at $16 million for the 2017 season. That’s far too much for a quarterback that isn’t even a guarantee to start.
Related Story: NFL Rumors: Los Angeles Rams may have interest in Kirk Cousins
In any way, Jay Cutler’s time in Chicago could be coming to an end soon, and it’s a long time coming for many fans.