CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 31: Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears throws a pass during the first half against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field on October 31, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Jay Cutler’s tenure in Chicago is over.
The Bears are releasing the veteran quarterback on Thursday— the day the new NFL league year/free agency begins at 4 pm ET— NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported, per a source informed of the move. The team attempted to trade Cutler, who will be 34 in April, but failed.
Chicago is also set to sign free-agent QB Mike Glennon to a $45 million, three-year deal that includes $19 million guaranteed.
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The Bears signed Cutler to a huge seven-year contract in 2014. With no guaranteed money remaining on the deal, Chicago saves $12.28 million on the salary cap, with just $2 million in dead money, by cutting the QB.
Cutler spent eight seasons with the Bears after being drafted as a first-round pick (11th overall) by the Denver Broncos out of Vanderbilt in 2006. He played two seasons in Denver.
In 2016, Cutler played just five games due to injury. The QB played under several different offensive coordinators during his time in Chicago.
The New York Jets, who are desperate for a quarterback, have been cited as a potential new destination for Cutler, who is known for taking costly sacks.
Glennon attempted just 11 passes last season as Jameis Winston’s backup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and did not play a single game in 2015.
The former third-round pick out of NC State started 18 games in his first two seasons, however, and posted a 5-13 record.
As a rookie in 2013, Glennon threw for 2,608 yards, 19 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 13 starts.
Some, like Detroit Lions QB Dan Orlovsky, seem to believe Glennon will do well as a starter:
Others, like AM1340 and 104.7 FM host Benjamin Allbright, believe the move is completely nonsensical:
We’ll see soon where exactly Cutler ends up.
CHICAGO, IL – OCTOBER 31: Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears throws a pass during the first half against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field on October 31, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
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