Jay Cutler linked to Tennessee Titans
Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) on the sidelines during the first quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports
There are a lot of reports swirling from the NFL Network regarding the Tennessee Titans, and one of the most interesting ones involves Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, who is on an expiring contract. According to sources close to Ian Rapoport, Jay Cutler is a name to watch for Titans fans, because he is on the Titans “radar” and also “believed to be interested” in playing for the Titans if the Bears don’t keep him. When Rapoport says “being back in Tenn.” he is referencing the fact that Cutler went to college in Vanderbilt, which isn’t far from where the Titans play.
I would be surprised if Cutler doesn’t stay in Chicago, but it’s a distinct possibility. Cutler is perfectly fine with being slapped with the franchise tag, whereas GM Phil Emery and the Bears don’t seem interested in letting things get back to that point, though it is unclear if they would be willing to use the franchise tag as a means of buying time to negotiate with their quarterback.
Though not everyone is sold that Cutler is a franchise quarterback, I would be very surprised if the Bears simply let him leave. Financial cost could be a deterrent for the Bears, especially if they are unwilling to do what the Baltimore Ravens did and overpay just to keep your franchise QB.
This is a situation well-worth monitoring closely, and Cutler being linked to the Titans is yet another sign that the Titans are no longer sold on Jake Locker being a potential franchise quarterback.