Dolphins Haven’t Ruled Out Bringing Jay Cutler Back Next Year

Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, citing two sources with knowledge of the situation, reports that the Dolphins haven’t ruled out the possibility of bringing back QB Jay Cutler for the 2018 season.

However, Jackson does say that the Dolphins are committed to Ryan Tannehill being their starting quarterback next year.

According to Jackson, if Cutler plays well over the final two weeks of the season, Miami could face a decision whether to bring back Cutler or Matt Moore as Tannehill’s backup next year. As of now, it remains to be seen whether Cutler would entertain being a backup, even though it’s unlikely that a starting job will surface for him with another team.

Cutler would also have to agree to a reduced salary from tthe$10 million he’s making this year and Jackson believes he would likely target at least the two-year, $11 million contract Nick Foles signed with the Eagles this offseason.

Moore would come at a lower salary and has spent the past few years as Tannehill’s backup, so this could ultimately be the Dolphins’ preferred option.

Cutler, 34, is a former first-round pick of the Broncos back in 2006. He spent three years in Denver before he was traded to the Bears in 2009. He was in the fourth year of his seven-year, $126.7 million contract that included $54 million guaranteed when the Bears cut him loose at the start of the 2017 league year.

After finding little interest as a free agent, Cutler decided to retire and accepted a job with FOX Sports as a broadcaster. However, the Dolphins convinced him to come out of retirement after Ryan Tannehill went down with a knee injury during training camp.

In 2017, Cutler has appeared in 12 games and completed 2,374 yards while completing 63.2 percent of his passes to go along with 18 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 34 quarterback out of 39 qualifying players.

We’ll have more regarding Cutler and the Dolphins as the news is available.