The Chicago Bears must make a call on Jay Cutler and they need to do so quickly. The Bears have already made one marquee move under the new coaching and front office regime after Brandon Marshall was sent to the New York Jets and there is a lot of talk that the quarterback position could be next. With the clock ticking on Cutler's guaranteed money, can the Bears get a deal done before free agency starts on Tuesday?
A trade for Cutler is looking less and less likely the closer Tuesday comes. When free agency begins, Cutler's salary becomes guaranteed for 2016 if he remains on the roster. However, the quarterback market is proving hard to predict at the moment which could lead to Cutler staying put. The Buffalo Bills opted to trade for Matt Cassel over someone like Cutler while the Cleveland Browns signed Josh McCown to a three-year deal instead of seeking out a move with the Bears. The decision is a dark cloud hanging over Chicago at the moment and the Bears need a decision.
One move not being made is a trade for Colin Kaepernick. According to media reports, the Bears were being linked to a trade for the San Francisco 49ers quarterback after it was being reported that he was available. However, 49ers general manager Trent Baalke shot down any report that Kaepernich was headed elsewhere this offseason.
"Colin is our quarterback and we are excited to have him," Baalke said, via KBME-AM. "He is not going anywhere. The media reports suggesting otherwise are without merit and, quite frankly, ridiculous."
So where does that leave the Bears? Mark Sanchez is returning to the Philadelphia Eagles. Brian Hoyer looks set to sign with the Houston Texans. The only other option would be someone like Colt McCoy. However, what about Marcus Mariota? According to ESPN's Sal Paolantonio, the Bears are interested in the former Oregon star heading into the draft. Take a number, Chicago.
The Bears make their first draft at the No. 7 pick. Right now, the New York Jets are being linked to Mariota and they make their selection at No. 6. Anyone interested in Mariota will have to trade up plain and simple. Now it just depends on the best offer. Can the Bears beat out Philadelphia for the quarterback? Now, the Bears being linked to the Heisman winner is just a rumor right now, but anything is possible for a rebuilding team. Chicago could also take a swing at acquiring Nick Foles. It is all an option.
All signs point to Cutler staying put. It is clear the quarterback is not worth what his contract dictates which is going to make it very hard for Chicago to sell anyone on it. The time is now to get someone in that can take his place in the near future. Any number of options could be available.
