Report: Chicago Bears Have “Begun Actively Shopping” Quarterback Jay Cutler
According to a recent report, the Chicago Bears are “actively shopping” veteran quarterback Jay Cutler.
The Chicago Bears are clearly going to be shopping for a new quarterback this off season. The Jay Cutler era just has not worked out and it is time for both sides to just move on. Whether the Bears attack the quarterback position in free agency, via a trade, in the 2017 NFL Draft or a combination of the three remains to be seen. Regardless, Cutler is not going to be part of their plans.
That is only seeming more and more of a sure-thing by the day. According to Jeff Darlington of ESPN, the Bears are ready to move on from Cutler.
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
Darlington went on to explain on Twitter that Cutler will be difficult to trade because he is not owed any guaranteed money. If Cutler does not like the situation that the Bears are sending him to, he can simply threaten to retire. He does not have an official no trade clause, but Cutler will be able to have a say in where he plays next season.
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Regardless, this signals the end of Cutler’s time in Chicago. The trade or eventual release is simply a formality at this point. Ryan Pace and the Chicago Bears know that keeping Cutler around any longer is a mistake. They need to find the guy to take them to the promise land. As we have seen over and over again, Cutler is not that guy.
It will be interesting to see if the Bears can land any draft capital in a trade for Cutler. His value is not exactly at a prime level right now, but NFL teams can be desperate at quarterback. Do not be surprised to see somebody give up a late-round pick to acquire the veteran signal caller.
Worst case, the Bears can simply release Cutler. At this point, they cannot expect to get any real value in exchange for him. Shopping him on the market is nothing more than doing their due diligence.
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Jay Cutler as the starting quarterback of the Chicago Bears did not work out like either side hoped. However, at this point, it is just time to part ways. The Bears clearly appear to realize that.