Though neither Jay Cutler nor agent Bus Cook publicly have suggested that the Bears' first franchise quarterback since Sid Luckman would like to be paid like he's wearing a franchise tag, the reality is that, at some point before too long, the Bears will need to address Jay Cutler's long-term status.
For now, his compensation is relatively small, given that he received the bulk of his first-contract compensation in 2006, after the Broncos made him the eleventh overall pick in the draft.
But Cutler is due to receive a $12 million roster bonus in 2012. Though that payment might create no cap consequences when it's made because there could be no salary cap by then, there's a salary cap now. As Brad Biggs of the Chicago Sun-Times points out, the Bears still have $17.67 million available to spend this year.
And if they don't use it, they will indeed lose it, if 2010 unfolds, as many expect, without a new labor agreement -- and thus without a salary cap.
Biggs points out that Cutler is the best in-house candidate to receive a long-term deal that chews up much of that remaining cap surplus. And we agree. The problem, however, is that Cutler and Cook currently might want a lot more than what the Bears are willing to pay.
And it also could be that Cutler and Cook are content to wait, especially with Eli Manning and Philip Rivers in line for long-term deals that likely will push the quarterback market to new heights. Though Cutler risks having his potential value drop if he performs in Chicago like most quarterbacks have since Luckman, Cutler has plenty of confidence -- and we think that he thinks that after one season of playing for the Bears like he did for the Broncos he'll be in line to break the bank.
Besides, Cook has no reason to push for a long-term deal for Cutler right now. With Cook's other high-profile client, Brett Favre, due to return for another season, Cook's 2009 budget will easily be satisfied by that three-percent take of whatever Favre makes.
So keep an eye on this one. If the Bears don't end up giving Cutler a lot of money in 2009, it could be that he's angling for a whole lot more in 2010, when the Bears and every other team likely will be unconstrained by a spending limit.
Will The Bears Use 2009 Cap Space On Cutler?
Posted by Mike Florio on July 3, 2009 8:58 AM ET
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"...the Bears' first franchise quarterback since Sid Luckman Jim McMahon..."
Let's keep our facts straight.
Jim McMahon was in the right place at the right time, and the defense was good enough to win a championship despite McMahon's best efforts to screw it all up.
I respectfully diasgree. Like Buddy Ryan said, the Bears had the best running back in the NFL for years, and the best defense in the NFL for years, and were losers. Jim McMahon arrived and they became winners. (Of course, Buddy would never give Mike Ditka any credit!)
McMahon was the 1980's link between Bobby Layne and Brett Favre, and was not a bust in the manner of Tony Mandarich, but one in the manner of Brian Bosworth: a player who, when healthy, was a game changer.
After watching McMahon as a youngster I was pleased to buy the DVD collection of 1985 game broadcasts last year and see all the Bears greats with adult eyes. #9's ability to roll left and throw right, to thread the needle, to improvise, to lead and motivate, and to block (better than any QB outside of Joe Theismann) was impressive.
Mr. Florio, thanks for a great site. Is there any chance the strikethrough tag can be activated for posts?