Vaughn McClure of the Chicago Tribune reports that sources have informed him that the Bears have previously discussed a long-term contract with QB Jay Cutler before new HC Marc Trestman was hired.
McClure adds that Cutler the contract being discussed was reportedly in the neighborhood of $15 million annually.
Cutler, 30, is entering the final year of his five-year, $49.77 million that he signed with Chicago back in 2009. He will be a unrestricted free agent following the 2014 season, so the Bears could always use their franchise tag on him to prevent him from fielding offers from other teams.
The problem with using the tag on Cutler is the fact that Chicago will also have to address other free agents like DT Henry Melton, CBs Charles Tillman and Tim Jennings, as well as S Major Wright. It would be great to have some of these players taken care ahead of time, so they can focus on just a few of them next offseason.
Cutler’s previous contract looks like a steal when you consider the current deals being handed out to players like Joe Flacco, Tony Romo, Aaron Rodgers and Matthew Stafford.
We have Cutler listed as the No. 19 player in our Top 50 – 2014 Free Agents list.
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