Count ESPN’s Jon Gruden among those who think the Chicago Bears should move on from quarterback Jay Cutler after this season.
According to Gruden, both the Bears and Cutler need a “fresh start.”
“It is a complex matter. He’s 33 years old,” Gruden said, via Jeff Dickerson of ESPN. “I think they need a fresh start, the Chicago Bears. And I also think Cutler needs a fresh start. At the end of this year, they’ll probably move in another direction, both parties.”
Cutler will enter the fourth year of his seven-year, $126 million deal in 2017, but the contract does not contain any guaranteed money after this season. The Bears can trade or release him after 2016 with a cap hit of only $2 million in dead money, with potential savings of $13 million 2017.
It will be a tempting options for the Bears, although there isn’t a long-term replacement at quarterback on the roster. Chicago has started 0-2 in 2016, and a disappointing season could spiral out of control with Cutler expected to miss at least 2-3 games after injuring his right thumb.
The Bears simply haven’t won enough with Cutler under center.
Over the last four years, Chicago is just 16-27 when Cutler starts. And while he hasn’t been the only reason for the struggles, Cutler’s continued inability to avoid turnovers has played a major part. He’s thrown 43 interceptions and lost 15 fumbles in 43 games since 2013. Cutler lost a fumble and threw a terrible interception during Chicago’s 29-14 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 2.
“He makes some bad decisions,” Gruden said. “He makes some risky decisions … because he has to. He’s under duress. They don’t have guys wide open. And there are times where their defense hasn’t played very well, either.”
It would be difficult for the Bears to enter Year 3 under head coach John Fox with a brand new starting quarterback. It’s also only Week 3 of a new season, so who knows what options will be available at the game’s most important position this coming offseason.
However, Chicago has been spinning its wheels too long with Cutler, and next season will provide an opportunity for a fresh start at quarterback. Gruden clearly won’t be surprised if the Bears take advantage.
