Texans need to consider Jay Cutler

Bates worked with Cutler when he was a neophyte in Denver and has reportedly always been a believer in him as a quarterback.

Current coach John Fox and GM Ryan Pace afforded Cutler the chance to nail down the job in 2015 and 2016, but the Bears missed the playoffs each year. The Jets traded for Brandon Marshall two years ago partly because they felt comfortable with him because head coach Todd Bowles knew him from the Dolphins. “A lot of things in play here for Jay Cutler“. With the help of my NFL Nation colleagues, I came up with a list of four teams that might pursue Cutler to be their starter or backup in 2017.

Whatever the case, it puts the Bears in an interesting, if not ultimately surprising position, as they enter the offseason; they become one of the teams clearly contemplating who will start at quarterback for them in 2017.

Reports began surfacing earlier this month that the Bears were ready to move on from Cutler, and that Chicago’s front office would be looking to target Patriots third-year quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo as their “top offseason priority.” Is it her time to shine while Cutler plays the Mr. Mom role to their three young children?

After eight seasons, Cutler’s Chicago tenure appears headed for an end.

As for Cutler’s individual performance, he offers roughly as many pros as cons. Cutler ranks as the Bears’ all-time leader in passing yards (23,443) and touchdown passes (154).

As to where Cutler will go, that’s completely up in the air, as it seems most other teams are not taking an interest to him. The former first-round pick is 33 years old and turns 34 in April, and is coming off of a season in which he played just five games due to thumb and shoulder injuries.

Cutler would have to find that appealing. He is now signed through 2020 as part of the seven-year, $126.7 million contract he signed in 2014. He’s also prone to interceptions, twice leading the National Football League in picks.