Chicago Bears Trade Involving Jay Cutler Might Fail, QB Would Rather Retire
A Chicago Bears trade centered on Jay Cutler has a strong chance of materializing in this year’s offseason. The Bears are expected to move on from Cutler after years and years of unsuccessful campaigns. However, it seems like the veteran has plans of leaving the game for good if he takes part in a future trade.
Cutler is one of the names frequently talked about in recent trade discussions. As mentioned, the Bears are likely parting ways with him to look for a new franchise quarterback. The player often linked to them is Jimmy Garoppolo of the New England Patriots. The 25-year-old is a native of Illinois, that is why the Bears are favored to land him if he splits up with the reigning champions.
Cutler has been linked to several teams already, although the Bears are yet to express interest in any of the potential deals. There are numerous possibilities in front of the struggling franchise but a trade involving the 33-year-old may be a disaster.
According to Bleacher Report, some NFL general managers are convinced Cutler is not open to participating in a Bears trade, even if it sends him to a team he wants to play for. The former 11th overall pick (2006) may “threaten” to retire if he is getting dealt.
This is terrible news for the Bears because if it is true and they trade Cutler, the organization that completed a swap with them may end up having nothing. It was mentioned that the quarterback can still retire even if an exchange happens and he will not be required to pay anyone.
The recent information may have jeopardized the Bears’ future plans regarding Cutler and a possible trade. It is likely that other franchises are now cautious if they have him on their radar since there is a chance that he just walks away.
If the Bears fail to trade Cutler, they may have him until his current contract expires in 2021 and he becomes an unrestricted free agent. They can make him available on the market as early as this year if they go for the other option which is releasing him.
Last season, Cutler’s career continued to go downhill as he was limited to only five games due to a nagging thumb injury. In those few appearances for the Bears, he had 81 completions for 1,059 yards and four touchdowns, also throwing five interceptions.
The Bears declined as well in the previous campaign as they only mustered three wins to finish last in the NFC North and extend a playoff drought to six consecutive years. They only made it to the postseason once with Cutler and that was back in the 2010 season.
Many are doubting Cutler’s abilities but one of the people who remains a believer is his fellow NFL quarterback Josh McCown. NBC Sports’ Pro Football Talk reported that in a recent interview on SiriusXM NFL Radio, McCown expressed confidence in him and was hoping for the best.
“I root for him either way it goes. As a friend, and a football fan, and as a guy who appreciates quarterbacks, I hope he continues to play and finds a good spot where he can play good football because I believe that is still in his future,” McCown shared.
Meanwhile, CBS Sports suggested that the San Francisco 49ers are still considered a probable destination for Cutler if the Bears pursue a trade. The 49ers, who are now manned by new general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan, are also actively looking for a quarterback. They have Colin Kaepernick but similar with Cutler, his future is uncertain.
[Featured Image by Nam Y. Huh/AP Images]
