Bears Have “Extreme Confidence” In Jay Cutler, Plan To Build Offense Around Him

Bears GM Ryan Pace told reporters on Monday that they have “extreme confidence” in QB Jay Cutler and plan build their offense around him.

“I think Jay knows that we have extreme confidence in him,” Pace said. “We’re going to continue to build the offense around him.”

It’s really surprising to see how things have played out for Cutler and the Bears just a year after reports mentioned that Chicago was trying to figure out a way they could move on from him as their starting quarterback.

However, all indications have been that Cutler will be back for the 2016 season.

Cutler, 32, is in the second year of his seven-year, $126.7 million contract that included $54 million guaranteed. He stands to make base salaries of $15.5 million (2015), $16 million (2016), $12.5 million (2017) $13.5 million (2018), and $17.5 million (2019).

It would cost the Bears $16 million to keep Cutler for the 2016 season. However, $10 million of this figure is already guaranteed, and his cap figure would drop from $17 million to $13 million if he’s released.

This season, Cutler threw for 3,659 yards while completing 64.4 percent of his passes to go along with 21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions over the course of four games. He also added 201 rushing yards for the Bears. Pro Football Focus has Cutler rated as the No. 17 quarterback out of 37 qualifying players.