The Chicago Bears reportedly could trade quarterback Jay Cutler after the season in order to save money. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported if Chicago did put Cutler on the trade block, there'd be multiple teams interested in acquiring the veteran signal caller.
The Bears snapped their three-game losing streak Sunday with a 21-13 win against Minnesota, but that hasn't tabled the talks of Cutler being shipped out of Chicago. Cutler threw three touchdowns, but - as has been the narrative all season - he also threw a pair of interceptions.
Chicago escaped with the win Sunday, but his turnovers are a big reason the team is sitting with a 4-6 record. Cutler's myriad turnovers and inconsistent play from week-to-week has some people speculating the Bears could try to move him in the offseason.
"Bears could trade Jay Cutler after this season and actually save $12.5 million against their cap," Schefter tweeted Sunday morning. "Other teams will have interest in Cutler."
If Chicago does decide to move Cutler, it'll be through a trade - as Schefter pointed out, there would be a market for the 31-year-old quarterback. An unlikely scenario, albeit possible, is Chicago releasing Cutler in the offseason to save money. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported last week that although Cutler is guaranteed a big chunk of change, there are loopholes in the contract that help the Bears.
"The new deal signed earlier this year by Bears quarterback Jay Cutler carries $54 million in guaranteed money. But there's a caveat," Florio wrote Nov. 10. "Like so many other long-term veteran deals, the bears can stop the bleeding in March of 2015 or March of 2016, cutting off the flow of guaranteed money by cutting Cutler.
"For example, if the Bears dump him by March 2015, they'll avoid $16 million in guaranteed money. If they part ways with him by March 2016, they'll save the final $6 million guaranteed. The problem is that, by cutting Cutler before March in either of the next two years, they'll be watching a lot of cash walk out the door. Already, he has trigged $38 million in fully-guaranteed pay under the new deal. After next March, (it) moves to $48 million."
If the team collapses this season with Cutler under center, Schefter's scenario is likely to happen.
