As the last days of 2013 winded down the future of Jay Cutler was in limbo. When his Chicago Bears blew a regular season finale that functioned as a playoffs play-in game versus the Green Bay Packers, his season was over and his contract was up. Then came reports he might not be staying, followed by Cutler himself talking that potential talk in press opportunities.
Perhaps it was just agent-driven posturing, maybe it was legitimate, maybe it was a little of both, but it certainly worked as the Chicago Bears realized what they might lose and therefore locked up with a monster contract as they ushered in 2014.
For that following season, Jay Cutler was the highest paid player in the NFL at $22.1 million. Today, all of the guaranteed money in his his contract has been paid to him, and he’s been compensated to the tune of $103.8 million by the organization.
He made $54 million over the last three seasons, in which the team went 12-23. He threw for 53 TDs and 34 INTs.
What was the ROI (return on investment?) Well, Cutler is the greatest passer in Bears history as he’s completely re-written the Bears passing record book. Then again Chicago has very little history at that position, and they didn’t really even have a modern passing offense until the late 1990s under Erik Kramer and Ron Turner.
Jay Cutler does not have the glory of a Jim McMahon or Sid Luckman, as his career record in Chicago is just 52-52. He also has one, that’s right just one playoff win since he came over from Denver via trade in 2009. Today, it’s been officially confirmed- the torn labrum in his throwing shoulder that Cutler suffered is a season ender.
Or as John Fox likes to describe it: day-to-day. ? https://t.co/MsaztyTPrA
— (((Mike McElwee))) (@MJMcElwee) December 1, 2016
Jay Cutler will have surgery Saturday and go on IR. Season over and Bears career likely over.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 1, 2016
A week after #Bears coach John Fox said Jay Cutler’s injury was not season ending, Cutler’s season is over. It’s Matt Barkley from here on
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 1, 2016
Which means his career in Chicago is most likely done now too.
There were reports that the Bears tried to move him at last year’s draft, but found no takers. We heard reports again early this season that the front office wants to move on from Jay Cutler. Then came the reports that the whole organization is being re-evaluated by an outside consultant.
The Ryan Pace-John Fox regime has only moved back thus far. They have not shown any ideas of moving forward. In order to at least convey some sense of imminent progress Pace and Fox need to shake things up. The quarterback position is the perfect place to do so.
When Cutler came out after the Presidential election and said he was happy with Donald Trump’s victory, and his revelation that he has supported Trump for a long time it was just the perfect analogy and supplement to the unpopularity of Cutler in this town.
The city of Chicago voted for Hillary Clinton to the tune of 85%; meaning less than 15% of the voters here approve of Trump. What would Cutler’s approval rating be if such indices were measured for NFL QBs? 15% sounds about right.
Actually no, that’s far too high. Fox, Pace and company aren’t too popular right now given what a total mess the Bears are right now. You know what would make them much more popular? Jettisoning #6. This season has been an all time low of Cutler’s tenure and discontent with him is at an all time high. It’s way best the rubicon now.
Yes, there are concerns about who would or could replace him and we’ll address that in future articles. For now, the answer is painfully obvious though- anyone but him.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes regularly to the Chicago Tribune’s RedEye publication and Bold Global.
He also consistently appears on numerous radio and television talk shows all across the country. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram and Sound Cloud.