The Chicago Bears might be committed to Jay Cutler from a contract standpoint, but that does not mean they are committed to him as the starter for 2015. With a new head coach and general manager in place, Cutler's future is only as guaranteed as the money in his contract. In need of a major turnaround season, the quarterback position is taking the spotlight as John Fox admits he is stressing competition for who gets to start Week 1 for the Bears.
According to NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport, the Bears and Cutler met earlier in the offseason and Chicago felt confident enough in the quarterback to pick up his option guaranteeing he stays with the team through 2016. However, that does not mean Cutler is the starting quarterback through 2016 and Fox is looking to create competition and push the players on the roster.
"Obviously you've got to start somewhere," Fox said, via CSN Chicago, "and my experience in football, really in anything, it's not where you start a competition; it's where you finish it. I think maybe [Cutler] got to the point where he lacked confidence a year ago. To build that back up, it's going to take time, daily. It takes trust, like any relationship."
The question becomes who that quarterback competition will be between. The other option the Bears have on the roster is Jimmy Clausen, a quarterback they appeared to begin to favor at the end of last season. However, it could also include Marcus Mariota in the draft. Chicago makes their first pick at No. 7 and the Chicago Tribune believes if the Oregon star is available, the Bears will take him.
That is a big if in regards to Mariota dropping that far. Most believe the quarterback is taken with the second pick by either the Tennessee Titans or another team that moves up. Would the Bears wage draft picks on a quarterback to replace Cutler? The team appears less and less invested in the veteran which would indicate a rookie quarterback could come in. But if Cutler improves enough in the offseason to start Week 1, that trade up will be a waste in the short-term sense.
Chicago could hold off and get someone in a later round. Bryce Petty, Brett Hundley and Garrett Grayson are the next-best available options for the team. They could also eye trades for players like Mike Glennon or Kirk Cousins if they do not feel like a rookie is worth taking.
