The Chicago Bears’ decision to lock up QB Jay Cutler to a long-term contract extension rather than apply their franchise tag was clearly a mistake from GM Phil Emery.
Many expected the Bears offense to pick up where they left off in 2013 and even take another step towards being a potential Super Bowl contender. However, the results have been disastrous and there is more and more talk about ways the Bears can move on from Cutler, and ultimately get out from under his massive contract.
Albert Breer of NFL Media reports that the Bears would take on $4 million in dead money by trading QB Jay Cutler next year.
As of now, Chicago has paid him $22.5 million of the $38 million in guarantees that is included in his agreement. Releasing Cutler outright would force the Bears to pay him the remaining $15.5 million.
It’s worth mentioning that the Bears will need to make a decision regarding Cutler before March as another $10 million will become guaranteed at that point.
Breer points out that trading Cutler could be a difficult move to pull off given that the quarterback will hold plenty of leverage in this particular situation.
Cutler could veto any trade if the team taking on his contract wanted him to renegotiate the agreement before parting with compensation. After all, he stands to gain $15.5 million if he’s released.
According to OverTheCap.com’s calculator, releasing Cutler next year would create $19.5 million in dead money while decreasing their available cap space by $3 million. If the Bears were to wait until June 1 of next year to release Cutler, they would still create $16.5 million in dead money, but wouldn’t have to take the $3 million cap hit.
Should Chicago wait until 2016 to part ways with Cutler, they would save the remaining $6 million in guarantees included in his contract.
Cutler, 31, hasn’t come close to living up to his seven-year, $126.7 million contract that included $54 million guaranteed this season, which is why people are exploring ways for the Bears to rid themselves of this deal.
This season, Cutler has completed 66.1 percent of his passes for 3,640 yards to go along with 28 touchdowns and 18 interceptions. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 33 quarterback out of 40 qualifying players.
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#33 out of 40 qualifying players in QB rating? The problem is that they need to also weigh the salary amount into that formula. Easily #40 out of 40 when you look at dollar value per positive play.
No question that Cutler would rate as the worst QB in the league if you based on his PFF score and his salary. Closest to him would be Kaepernick, who is rated No. 30 overall.