Bears sign former Bucs starter Mike Glennon

Then, all of a sudden, Cutler was. To quote Head Coach Tony D’Amato in Any Given Sunday, “it’s the top spot kid, you’re the one who takes the fall”. All assumptions coming out of last season had been that the Bears likely would move in a new direction at the most important position on their roster.

By 2017, the Bears were happy to say goodbye.

But for frustrated Bears fans, Cutler’s release will largely be received with relief. Cutler’s inevitable departure from the Bears was cemented by the team’s deal with fellow QB Mike Glennon.

Schefter adds that Jay Cutler asked the team for his release. The arrivals of Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery in 2012 and Alshon Jeffery led to Cutler’s best seasons, but those were coupled with disastrous Bears defenses and the impending Trestman debacle. He made none in eight seasons with the Bears. That playoff moment in a loss to the rival Green Bay Packers, also brought about a controversy surround the passer regarding his knee injury and “toughness” that he was never quite able to overcome with better play and make people forget. The punchless Bears lost 21-14, and watched their hated rival celebrate an NFC title in their stadium.

Despite the media circus, Cutler was a pretty good QB for most of his Bears tenure. Many are saying that part of their poor showing is the failure of Jay Cutler to stabilize the offense. Safeties Adrian Amos, Harold Jones-Quartey and Deon Bush had one interception combined a year ago for the Bears.

Cutler may not be too enthused about joining the Jets, who are in the middle of a full-blown rebuild, but he might not have any other options if he wants to keep playing.

The Bears presumably will cut Cutler – their ostensible starter since 2009 – by today at 4 p.m. EST, to get him off their books before the start of the new league year. That’s not a happy thing for either side. He became a punchline, a flash point for easy memes like “Jay Cutler Don’t Care” and “Smokin’ Jay Cutler”.