Bears QB Jay Cutler Reportedly “Pushing To Play” In Week 3, Still Unlikely

According to Jason La Canfora, Bears QB Jay Cutler is “pushing to play” in Week 3’s game, despite his thumb injury.

La Canfora mentions that Cutler is currently under some duress in Chicago is “politicking” coaches to allow him to play through the injury. However, La Canfora still considers it a “stretch” that Cutler will be team’s starter against the Cowboys.

Yesterday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reported that Cutler is expected to cost him 2-3 weeks, so it would be pretty surprising to see him start this weekend.

La Canfora adds that Brian Hoyer is getting all the work with the starters as Cutler undergoes treatment on his thumb.

The Bears also promoted Matt Barkley to their active roster on Thursday, which is further indication that they plan to hold Cutler out this weekend.

Cutler, 33, is in the third year of his seven-year, $126.7 million contract that included $54 million guaranteed and stands to make a base salary of $16 million for the 2016 season.

Cutler has no guaranteed money left on his contract and Chicago would only take a $2 million salary cap hit by releasing him next year. The Bears would pick up $13 million in salary-cap space should they cut him loose.

In 2016, Cutler has appeared in two games and throw for 373 yards while completing 60.9 percent of his passes to go along with one touchdown and two interceptions. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 28 quarterback out of 34 qualifying players.