Is Jay Cutler a franchise quarterback? That’s the big question Phil Emery will have to decide in the coming months. By now, we all know there are three options: Slap the franchise tag on him (According to NFL.com’s Albert Breer, the projected franchise-tag number for a quarterback in 2014 will be $16.2 million. Sign him to a long-term deal. Cut ties with Cutler and let him sign elsewhere. Whatever the outcome, one thing is for sure — next season, he’ll be commanding similar money to the top five quarterbacks in the NFL. But do his stats warrant such a thing? According to Spotrac.com, the top-paid quarterbacks in 2013 (based on salary cap hit) are: Eli Manning, $20,850,000 Matthew Stafford, $17,820,000 Peyton Manning, $17,500,000 Drew Brees, $17,474,000 Tom Brady, $13,800,000 Here’s how Cutler compares to these “franchise” quarterbacks this year (and yes, we know it’s a bit ridiculous to include Eli Manning in here based on his stats, but we have to based on the contract):
NFL games are won and lost in the fourth quarter, and Jay “Mr. Fourth Quarter” Cutler compares extremely favorably:
The success of a season can largely rest in how December plays out. Here’s how Cutler’s December numbers stack up since 2010:
Nice thread. Cutler is the best qb the Bears have now. I am hoping that they are able to draft a future franchise qb but those only come around only so often. I guess judging by the stats in the thread Cutler is not a franchise qb but what choice do the Bears have at the moment. I don't think Cutler is the qb for the Bears in three years time, or less even.
