Jay Cutler, Tim Jennings, Matt Slauson get new deals from savvy Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) drops back to pass against the Green Bay Packers during the first quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Let the Jay Cutler speculation end. There is no doubt that Cutler is one of the most polarizing players in the NFL, but he also has incredible physical tools and played very well this season. Veteran backup Josh McCown has also been excellent and will hit free agency, but there is little doubt that Cutler is the Bears franchise quarterback. Not only is McCown too old to be the answer, but he’s also too limited in terms of skill. And think about it this way: if Bears head coach Marc Trestman, who is one of the best QB gurus in football, could turn McCown into a good QB, then imagine what he could do with Cutler’s skill-set.
The Chicago Bears have announced new contracts for Jay Cutler, Tim Jennings, and Matt Slauson, and all three players definitely deserved their new deals. Jennings isn’t as good or as recognizable of a name as Charles Tillman, whose future with the Bears could be in doubt, but he’s a good corner in his own right. Even though the Bears defense was atrocious this year, Jennings still played well and was, for my money, the best player on the Bears defense this year. As for Matt Slauson, he was an absolute steal for the Bears on a one-year deal, and he had a very good 2013 season as a huge sleeper signing in the offseason. Both he and Jennings deserve their two-year extensions (Robbie Gould and Tony Fiammetta also notched extensions for two more seasons), and Slauson was the team’s best offensive lineman this season.
Cutler is sticking around with the Bears through 2020, and I can’t wait to see what he can do in the future. With a tad more help on the line and some great coaching from Trestman, Jay Cutler could finally realize his potential. He’ll have to make better decisions, but he already showed signs of that this season. He was incredible in the Bears Week 17 game against the Green Bay Packers, and it’s a shame the Bears defense blew his huge performance. Cutler is “the guy”, and this seven-year deal proves it.
It will be interesting to see how much Cutler will be getting, but it looks like a great deal right now. Give a lot of credit to Cutler and GM Phil Emery for getting a deal done this year, and the skill position players of Cutler, Matt Forte, Brandon Marshall, and Alshon Jeffery are among the best and most star-studded in the NFL. With a better defense (they will need an overhaul), this Bears team could be scary due to the talent on offense.
Great move, Bears, on all three deals.