The Chicago Bears are coming into 2015 with numerous questions and a Jay Cutler trade could be an option for head coach John Fox if teams like the Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans, Tennessee Titans, Washington Redskins, New York Jets or Buffalo Bills are interested and this comes as the future for Brandon Marshall could be up in the air as well.
The Bears have new management with head coach John Fox and general manager Ryan Pace coming for Marc Trestman and Phil Emery and that could mean some major changes. When Fox first took over he was "noncommittal" about Cutler in his first press conference and when he had the chance at the NFL combine to endorse Cutler, he opted not to. While that doesn't mean Cutler will be traded, it is significant to note he did not do that, since Cutler just signed a seven year deal last year.
According to ESPN.com, Fox said that he is not on a timetable and that he is still evaluating the Bears situation. Cutler is coming into 2015 after being benched by Trestman in Week 16 of the season for Jimmy Clausen and that put his future in Chicago up in the air. Cutler was the highest paid player in football last season and led the league in turnovers. The Bears went just 5-11 and while Cutler had solid stats, the overall play of the offense was disappointing.
Brandon Marshall was part of that and he too could have his future in question with the Bears. Marshall recently signed a four year deal and has a base salary of over $7 million for next season and that has led to questions about his future with the team. Pace and Fox were also noncommittal on Marshall and the receiver said that after meeting with the two following their hiring, "nothing was assured" for him for the 2015 season.
The Bears could consider a huge rebuild if they get rid of Marshall and trade Cutler, but that doesn't seem to be what Pace and Fox want to do. Fox is being smart by keeping his options open, as he likely will have to keep Cutler anyway due to his massive salary. Cutler is getting paid $15 million this season and that means many teams will likely be unable to pull off the deal, as they can't afford to have that much on the cap. Cutler put up career highs in touchdown passes and completion percentage, but he had 18 interceptions and six lost fumbles.
Fox and the Bears met with Josh McCown in Indy at the combine, but that was likely a formality over an actual option. McCown wants to start and he should have plenty of options, as the Jets, Bills, Browns and Texans all could sign him, while the Jets are also interested. Cutler has his salary guaranteed for this season and next year he has a $10 million guarantee if he is on the roster in March. Fox spoke about the deadlines and he said that he will look at all the options and will evaluate Cutler, who he said has plenty of talent and potential.
