ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Chicago Bears are benching QB Jay Cutler in favor of backup QB Jimmy Clausen.
- Ian Rapoport reports that Bears HC Marc Trestman considered benching Cutler at halftime of Monday’s game.
Cutler is coming off of another horrible performance against the Saints on Monday night, so it can’t hurt to see what Clausen can do with the opportunity.
Chicago has nothing to play for at this point in the year, but this move could be an indication that they are prepared to move on without him next year.
We covered the ramifications from releasing or trading Cutler earlier in the week.
The Bears would take on $4 million in dead money by trading Cutler next year and releasing him would force them to pay him the remaining $15.5 million of his contract. It’s worth mentioning that the salary from his next team would reduce the amount Chicago owes him.
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.
Cutler, 31, hasn’t come close to living up to his seven-year, $126.7 million contract that included $54 million guaranteed this season.
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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