The Chicago Bears continue to be linked to a trade of Jay Cutler and likely will until the first round of the NFL Draft has come and gone. It is clear that head coach john Fox has reservations when it comes to Cutler's future with the franchise and would ideally like another starting option on the roster outside of Jimmy Clausen. However, as a deal starts to look less and less likely, what will the Bears do in the first round with the No. 7 pick?
According to the Chicago Tribune, the Cutler, Marcus Mariota trade is not looking great heading into the draft. The Tennessee Titans are showing more and more interest in a rookie quarterback with either Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota. It will take a big trade deal to get the team to budge on moving down in the draft and Cutler might not be enough to win them over.
Brad Biggs of the Tribune makes the point that Cutler's struggles are turning teams like the Titans away from a potential trade. Tennessee is coming off yet another disappointing season where quarterback issues were a main cause of the downfall. The team likely has no interest in a quarterback that has only managed marginal success to this point in his career. Dealing away the No. 2 pick means they lose the chance to draft a quarterback with real potential at being something great. Teams no longer see that in Cutler.
All signs point to the Bears being forced to stay at No. 7. Sure the team could try and toss Matt Forte into a trade deal to move up the boards, but no one is taking a second look at a running back sitting at 29-years-old no matter what his stats say. So what does Chicago do instead? According to ESPN's Todd McShay, the Bears are poised to either select a wide receiver that could range from Amari Cooper to Kevin White or DeVante Parker or they will buy into the hype of Todd Gurley or Melvin Gordon to eventually replace Forte.
The Bears are looking for young, athletic pieces to upgrade the offense. After trading away Brandon Marshall, the Bears need a top threat to pair alongside Alshon Jeffery. Eddie Royal will not be enough. There is a very good chance that Cutler is the quarterback starting under center in Week 1 of next season and Chicago will at least try to help make him successful.
