There will be much more to say about Jay Cutler’s time with the Chicago Bears when everything else has cooled down, but, for today:
Bears are releasing QB Jay Cutler, per sources. Cutler asked for and was granted his release this morning. Now a free agent.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2017
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There was no trade to be had for a late-round draft pick, and with Mike Glennon set to officially arrive today, this was always going to happen.
The writing has been on the wall since January, after another disappointing season at the helm of the Bears. With virtually no guaranteed money left in his sizable extension, the team was free to let Cutler go without a significant hit going forward. Cutler was set to count as much as $16 million against the cap in 2017 between his base salary and roster bonuses, and, with his release, the Bears will save $14 million of that. The team now has some $66 million with which to work under the cap, though a big chunk of that is going to Cutler’s replacement, Mike Glennon.
Cutler will presumably try to latch on with another team (the Jets, perhaps?), and may very well have some solid starting years left in the tank at age 34.
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UPDATE: It’s officially official. Goodbye, Jay Cutler:
Jay Cutler has officially been released. pic.twitter.com/W4kmpQoVVZ
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) March 9, 2017