The Jay Cutler era with the Chicago Bears is approaching a conclusion.
According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Bears are highly likely to rid themselves of Cutler after the 2016 season.
“The Bears are widely expected to move on from Cutler after this season, one way or another, whether that means trading or releasing him,” Schefter wrote. “Moving on from Cutler will free up $13 million in salary-cap space, though Chicago will have to use a good part of that to find another starting quarterback.”
Cutler, who missed five games after spraining his thumb, is expected to return on Monday night against the Minnesota Vikings. It’d be fair to call the rest of Cutler’s 2016 season an open audition for other teams.
In 2017, Cutler’s contract in Chicago will include a $16 million hit against the salary cap. But if he is traded or released, the cost to the Bears is only $3 million, which includes $2 million in dead money. Cutler is due another $1 million in restructure bonuses.
Back in 2014, Cutler signed a seven-year, $126 million deal. It runs through the 2020 season, but the veteran quarterback will likely only see three years and $54 million of the original deal.
The 1-6 Bears are headed for a top pick in next year’s draft, and it seems likely a high draft choice will be used to replace Cutler as the franchise’s future at quarterback.
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