The Chicago Bears may consider a Jay Cutler trade this offseason to try and get Marcus Mariota in the NFL draft and the Tennessee Titans could be an option if Cutler or Matt Forte is traded, as the Bears have reportedly been interested in Mariota and could move up in the top 10 to get him.
Earlier in the offseason there was talk that Cutler could be traded, but that eventually went away after John Fox came out and said the team was "moving forward" with him as quarterback. But as the draft approaches there are reports that the team could consider the move again, as Bleacher Report's Jason Cole writes that "Mariota has gained more and more traction" for the team and he could be their main target.
The Bears are in a good situation to trade up if they want to, as they have a solid quarterback or running back they can move along with the number seven overall pick. Mariota has been getting a ton of attention coming into the draft, as Jameis Winston is expected to be the number one overall pick for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Titans have the number two pick and if they do not take Mariota, they are expected to trade the selection.
The San Diego Chargers, NY Jets, Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears have emerged as potential options for the Titans, while the Washington Redskins also could be interested. The Bears have Cutler on a huge contract that he signed before last season, but that was done under the previous leadership group. Fox and Ryan Pace now take over and while it looked like Cutler would not get traded, there is a chance that could happen.
Last season Cutler was benched in Week 16 for Jimmy Clausen, but that only lasted one game and now moving forward the Bears have to decide if Cutler is right to stick with. Cutler has a big salary, but the Titans have over $20 million in cap space and could absorb his contract. The Chargers are reportedly serious and could trade Philip Rivers in a deal for Mariota, as he is coming into the final year of his contract and could be traded.
Matt Forte is also coming into the final year of his contract and since he will be 30 years old at the end of the season, there is a chance he could get traded as well. Forte is not around for voluntary workouts and while he said that he is not looking to hold out with his contract situation, some reports from the Chicago Tribune and ESPN Chicago say this could be the start of him asking for a new deal. Forte had a big season in 2014 with over 1000 yards rushing and 102 receptions under Marc Trestman.
Cutler did not have a bad season stats-wise and if the Bears decide to move on, the Titans could get a strong quarterback and that is something they have not had in years. Cutler had a career best completion percentage in 2014 and he also had a high in touchdown passes, but he also had 18 interceptions and lost six fumbles, which led the league.