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The Chicago Bears have benched quarterback Jay Cutler, as head coach Marc Trestman looks to avoid being fired. The NFL team will instead start backup Jimmy Clausen for their game against the NFC North divisional rival Detroit Lions this Sunday, say reports. Cutler — married to Kristin Cavallari, the star of Laguna Beach and The Hills — is the highest-paid offensive player in the NFL, and has a seven year, $126 million contract, and will make over $20 million next year, but this benching means that the Bears could be looking to trade their starting QB, and draft a new quarterback in the 2015 NFL draft. Could the New York Jets, Houston Texans, Washington Redskins or St Louis Rams be interested in a Cutler trade?
ESPN's Adam Schefter and Chris Mortenson reported the news, with Schefter tweeting out "Stunner from Chicago: Bears starting QB Jimmy Clausen this week, per source."
Stunner from Chicago: Bears starting QB Jimmy Clausen this week, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 17, 2014
To repeat and now confirmed: Bears starting QB Jimmy Clausen over Jay Cutler on Sunday vs. Detroit, per sources. — Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 17, 2014
He then pointed out the $20 million owed on Cutler's contract - of the $126 million contract he only signed in January - for next year is fully guaranteed.
Jay Cutler is owed $15.5 million next year, fully guaranteed. So someone is paying that...Nobody can be sure it's Chicago.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 17, 2014
Sports Tax Man Robert Raiola explained further, tweeting:
No matter which team Jay Cutler plays for in 2015, he will make AT LEAST $20.5M Of that amount $5M is deferred base salary from 2014. #NFL.
— Robert Raiola, CPA (@SportsTaxMan) December 18, 2014
Cutler's benching has prompted some "accomplished and respected" Bears players to tell ESPN's Jeff Dickerson that they're "confused and uncomfortable" about how coach Trestman is disciplining the team. Especially after the "slap on the wrist" given to Bears offensive coordinator and media leak Aaron Kromer. As Dickerson points out, Cutler's contract means the QB will be "paid $15.5 million in 2015" with another "$10 million guarantee" that "kicks in on March 12, the third day of the league year, if Cutler is on the Bears' roster. If Cutler is injured at that time, the Bears will owe him $10 million in 2016." So, says Dickerson, the Bears save $10 million by ensuring Cutler doesn't get hurt and they can trade him in the off season. To put that contract into context, Cutler is paid more than Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl winning quarterback Russell Wilson, the 2012 No. 1 NFL draft pick Andrew Luck, 2011 Super Bowl winner Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers, 2011 No. 1 pick Cam Newton of the Carolina Panthers and Philadelphia Eagle QB Mark Sanchez... combined. ESPN's Sportscenter tweeted that stat out as their 'Crazy Stat of Day':
Crazy Stat of Day: Jay Cutler is making $22.5 million this year, more than Wilson, Luck, Rodgers, Newton and Sanchez COMBINED. — SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 18, 2014
Not only that, says Robert Raiola, but "Jay Cutler will make $1,029,412 this week. That's $384,412 more than Jimmy Clausen will make this entire season."
Jay Cutler will make $1,029,412 this week. That's $384,412 more than Jimmy Clausen will make this entire season. (via @SportsTaxMan) — NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) December 18, 2014
What do you think? How will Jimmy Clausen go in his two starts? Is Trestman being too hard on the quarterback? Should the Bears cut bait with Cutler and pick up a new quarterback in the NFL draft? Where could Cutler end up? Perhaps reuniting with former coach Lovie Smith in Tampa Bay? Could the New York Jets, Houston Texans or Oakland Raiders - all in need of quarterbacks - be interested in Cutler?
