“Very Real Possibility” The Bears Move On Without Jay Cutler Next Season

Mike Silver of the NFL Network writes that there is a “very real possibility” that the Chicago Bears could allow QB Jay Cutler to depart during free agency.

Silver spoke with a source “familiar with the Bears’ situation” who believe Bears HC Marc Trestman may “not place as much of a premium on arm strength as some of his peers.”

“Think about it — he had his greatest success with Rich Gannon, who was smart and moved well but wasn’t anybody’s idea of a big thrower,” said Silver’s source. “If you’re him, do you want to spend $20 million a year on Cutler, who might not be the best fit, or do you want to find someone you can mold who’s efficient? And if you think about how deep this (next) draft class might be, he can identify his guy and get him relatively cheap for the next few years.”

This comes just hours after the Bears announced Cutler will be out “at least four weeks” with a muscle tear in his groin.

Cutler, 30, is in the final year of his contract and will be an unrestricted free agent following the season. He’s clearly the best available quarterback in next year’s free agent that also includes guys like Michael Vick and Josh Freeman.

Chicago doesn’t have a long-term prospect at quarterback on their, so there is a chance GM Phil Emery could elect to draft someone next April. It’s hard to say what the Bears are actually thinking right now. They could always elect to franchise Cutler after the season and give him another shot at putting together a career-season.

Either way, this appears to be one of the big offseason topics that is sure to be covered at great length.

We have Culter listed as our No. 4 player in our Top 50 – 2014 Free Agents list.