Jay Cutler And The Bucs
December 19th, 2014
There’s lots of local and national speculation about bratty Jay Cutler and Lovie Smith potentially reuniting in Tampa next season. Even NFL.com is talking.
Joe finds the notion ludicrous.
However, if the Bears are willing to trade Cutler for Michael Johnson, and Lovie really believes the Bucs are “on the verge,” then maybe the thought of a Cutler transplant isn’t thoroughly insane.
Joe still wouldn’t do such a thing. Don’t mis-read anything here.
Cutler is a talented but toxic teammate prone to erratic play. He’s also paid like an elite starting quarterback, despite being average. But he is a far better quarterback than anyone the Bucs have on the roster. And there’s always a shot the Bucs win a game and miss their chance to score a top college quarterback.
Cutler has gushed openly about his love and respect for Josh McCown. The two were like brothers last year in Chicago, when McCown’s presence on the Bears seemed to soothe the bratty out of Cutler.
In the spring, McCown told Joe that he and Cutler led the private preseason workouts for the entire Bears offense, so it quickly could learn the Marc Trestman playbook. McCown said Cutler’s leadership led to the Bears’ having the No. 2 ranked offense in 2013.
Again, Joe’s not lobbying for Cutler, but the Bucs are desperate at QB, and Joe would hardly be shocked if Lovie Smith sought a familiar face, a guy that guided his Bears to the No. 2 seed in the NFC in 2010, and the NFC title game.
If the Bears were willing to take the ugly Michael Johnson contract of the Bucs’ hands, and perhaps Anthony Collins, then maybe they’ll find someone willing to listen in Tampa.
December 19th, 2014 at 12:03 pm
NO NO NO. PLEASE NO!
December 19th, 2014 at 12:03 pm
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.
December 19th, 2014 at 12:06 pm
There is only one thing that could ever drive me away from the Bucs. Not drafting Mariota or Winston (or even Satan), but instead getting Cutler would pretty much do it. I don’t care if he plays for free.
December 19th, 2014 at 12:07 pm
35% chance it happens. Doubles to 70% if the Bears are willing to eat a significant portion of the guaranteed money.
December 19th, 2014 at 12:09 pm
No know way they can sell him to the fa base here including me. I will be putting my seats up for sale until they get a real QB and build this thing correctly not with journeymen QB’s which is what Cutler basically is from here with a $15 million guaranteed pay check for next year, no way.
December 19th, 2014 at 12:12 pm
Even if the Bears picked up 90% of his bloated contract, it’s simply ludicrous to think Cutler would be brought to Tampa.
The Glazers will insist we draft a QB with our first pick.
December 19th, 2014 at 12:12 pm
Oh yes, The Bears would bail us out by taking huge contracts for useless players instead of just cutting Cutler. Makes all the sense in the world.
December 19th, 2014 at 12:12 pm
If they took the Collins and Johnson contracts and we were able to keep our all of our picks (maybe even getting some of theirs) then I wouldn’t be totally opposed. So long as we are operating under the understanding that Cutler is not our future. He is here to give us someone that is talented to buy some time while a QB that we draft and develop in house is coming along. To be clear, I don’t want Cutler. But, there are scenarios where it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.
December 19th, 2014 at 12:12 pm
JOE I would get rid of Collins and Johnson for Aaron Sears today. Thats how much I believe they are worth. And thats how much I think Cutler is worth. No way in hell the YUCS should even entertain that idea. Can you imagine? McCown and Cutler leading the way. FUUUUUUUK NO! Lovie will probably get Trestman too. He’s a gonner as well. Man this sounds ugly as im writing it.
December 19th, 2014 at 12:20 pm
$25 million reason why no ones gonna trade for Cutler…lol
December 19th, 2014 at 12:24 pm
if so he will end up the way of other free agents Lovie signed
December 19th, 2014 at 12:26 pm
Rumor is it’s going to take a 3rd round pick to get Cutler, but don’t forget, you also get his $15.5 million guaranteed salary for next season as well….
December 19th, 2014 at 12:27 pm
Jason Licht didn’t tank this season to come in second place, and he DAMN sure didn’t do it for Cutler. I realize that people think that Lovie is the boss, but after what I’ve seen this season…
December 19th, 2014 at 12:28 pm
@biff barker
That only works in the other major sports, there is no salary splitting in the NFL, the contract moves with the player to his gaining team
December 19th, 2014 at 12:28 pm
Good lord a 3rd is way too high unless the Bears are eating the entire guaranteed portion remaining. The contract is abysmal and the Bears can’t cut him or they take a beating in dead cap space (nearly $20 million). I can’t see anyone offering more than a 5th unless the Bears are eating a lot of money. It’s an utterly terrible contract. Still better than Kaepernick though I guess.
December 19th, 2014 at 12:28 pm
@flmike – I thought NE ate some of Mankins contract before he came here?
December 19th, 2014 at 12:32 pm
It certainly is stupid enough for Lovie
December 19th, 2014 at 12:34 pm
NNNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
December 19th, 2014 at 12:34 pm
nobody will trade for cutler. if the bears release him, however, i would bet money that his first visits are to Tampa, st louis, and cleveland. all teams that think they could be in the playoffs if their QB talent weren’t among the league’s worst. If Cutler\Trestman\McCown is the magical trio, let’s let them assemble here for a year or two while we find ourselves a credible long term answer. i have zero faith in the potential of mariotta or winston to be outstanding pros.
December 19th, 2014 at 12:37 pm
If we trade for Cutler, RG3 or some other scrub then I think I would have to think long and hard about being a Bucs fan. I live in the DC area and could easily become an Eagles fan or a Ravens fan. Hell, I was born and raised in KS so I could become a Chiefs or Broncos fan.
December 19th, 2014 at 12:38 pm
If we got Cutler, which I’m not in favor of, we wouldn’t need to roll the dice on a QB with our first pick. We would be able to develop someone for a year or two and we’d have a QB that will be at least serviceable for that time without having to resort to pulling the kid off the bench too early. That would be nice and, if we set ourselves up to be able to trade down and pick up additional picks, then we could be a lot closer to being a well rounded team.
December 19th, 2014 at 12:41 pm
I’m glad we Buc fans can agree on something. Just say no!
December 19th, 2014 at 12:42 pm
Just NO to Cutler with the Bucs. You better not do it Lovie! He is mediocre, he is inconsistent, get the hell out of here Cutler. It sounds like a Lovie move though. Please, no Cutler to the Bucs.
December 19th, 2014 at 12:46 pm
2015 Buccaneers = Chicago Bears South? Meh won’t make me quit being a Bucs fan, but no thanks to Cutler or Trestman or some we already have like MCCown or Wright (Major). Hector would have been cool though..oh well
December 19th, 2014 at 12:53 pm
Grossman took the Bears farther than Cutler ever did. That doesn’t make Cutler look good at all. Grossman had the benefit of a great defense, but so did Cutler for a few years. Just say no. Of course Lovie will probably have Cutler on his wish list. Lovie probably prefers a veteran over a rookie QB, especially after this season. Another disaster of season would be his last in Tampa.
December 19th, 2014 at 12:58 pm
Grossman took his team further than Andrew Luck ever has as well……. You saying Luck isn’t worth having?
December 19th, 2014 at 1:00 pm
@Patrick
No, what NE had to eat was the $3mil cap hit, we are playing the full $6mil guaranteed salary…
December 19th, 2014 at 1:06 pm
Cutler has zero intangibles. Doesn’t seem to care if he loses or wins, and certainly doesn’t help raise the play of those around him. Do his teammates play hard for him?
His problem is in his head and heart.
December 19th, 2014 at 1:16 pm
The bears will eat what’s left of Cutlers salary if they cut him. Meaning if they cut him and he’s due 15mil and another team sings him for 10mil, then they eat 5mil
December 19th, 2014 at 1:17 pm
I’m all in for getting Cutler, once the Bears cut him! Then we add to this defense and re-build the entire offensive line and not wait 2 years for these “might be good” qbs. We take an average qb with a solid arm to sling it to V Jax and Evans and keep dougie to run behind a good rebuilt O Line. I think we’re only missing a couple good guys on def. and a good o line.
December 19th, 2014 at 1:17 pm
But no Cutler in Tampa please!
December 19th, 2014 at 1:18 pm
Cutler would get this team into the 6-10 to 8-8 range, an improvement no doubt, but the ceiling would be extremely low – especially fro the price.
It’s a definite pass.
December 19th, 2014 at 1:19 pm
If the BUCs pick up Cutler and do not draft either Mariota or Winston then I am DONE. D-O-N-E . I can’t even imagine a more moronic move. Does Lovie not realize that Cutler’s lack of production is the reason he was fired from the Bears?
December 19th, 2014 at 1:21 pm
NOOOOOOOO!
December 19th, 2014 at 1:26 pm
@Steve Says:
“…If the BUCs pick up Cutler and do not draft either Mariota or Winston then I am DONE. D-O-N-E…”
Exactly!! Nuff said…
December 19th, 2014 at 1:27 pm
The Bucs need a lifeline to pull them up….not an anchor to drag them down!
December 19th, 2014 at 1:27 pm
Lovie won’t get Cutler because he cost him his job in Chicago plus it wasn’t Cutler that led the Bears to the NFC championship game, it was the D & special teams. I can see it work if the Bears would take the contracts of MJ & Collins plus give the Bucs a player they want and a draft pick for a 5th or 6th from the Bucs.
December 19th, 2014 at 1:28 pm
Just say no. I’m tired of getting FA QBs or trading for them. It doesn’t work. I’d rather trade for Cam Newton than Cutler.
December 19th, 2014 at 1:36 pm
@Patrick in VA.
Cutler took over the same team Grossman took to a Super Bowl. Same Head Coach, same franchise. Cutler’s had his opportunities and hasn’t been good enough to lead the Bears to any real success. If he’s not good enough for the Bears he shouldn’t be good enough for the Bucs.
December 19th, 2014 at 1:37 pm
If the Bucs can fleece them than go ahead and trade a low round draft pick for him. The Bears are desperate to get rid of Cutler and would feel like they got one over on Lovie. But the national media would say that the Bucs picked up a lot in the trade. MJ, Collins, a 6th or 7th from the Bucs for a 3rd/4th or a 4th and 5th, a player from the Bears
December 19th, 2014 at 1:39 pm
@BD – fair enough. I’m not advocating for him to come either. There are potential positives but I think we can do better than Cutler
December 19th, 2014 at 1:41 pm
On second thought They shouldn’t trade for cutler at all. I would prefer them to keep mj and collins for another year and hope they improve. Cutler would be a joke and turn the Bucs into a laughing stock nationally. Because contrary to posters on here the Bucs are not seen as a laughing stock but a rebuilding team.
December 19th, 2014 at 1:43 pm
that may be the most panic-inducing headline Joe has ever put up
December 19th, 2014 at 1:44 pm
The dude doesn’t have the most endearing personality, and has been difficult to work with. There are quite a few ex-teammates from Denver and Chicago that can confirm that. We don’t need someone we have to pamper, and stroke his ego on a team that has more questions than answers. If we were a veteran team, it would be different.
December 19th, 2014 at 1:48 pm
I will pass!!!
December 19th, 2014 at 1:53 pm
I’m not big on drafting QBs high, but as Bucs fans we just have to take a leap of faith that it is finally our turn to have a franchise QB. The most important thing is to build the best offensive coaching staff. If Chip Kelly can score points with Sanchez then that is all the proof you need that coaching is the most critical thing for offensive success. Keep Glennon as a safety valve in case Mariota or Winston need time to develop, but get rid of McCown because he is old with no potential for upside.
December 19th, 2014 at 1:58 pm
I could see us taking Cutler in trade for Lovie, Johnson, and Collins. We then draft the winning QB from the Rose Bowl this year and let him learn the good, bad, and ugly for the two “gifted in many ways” QBs and then either towards the end of the year or next he will be ready to replace both of the “gifted” QBs. Our cap stays the same if Lovie counts, if not it is still money saved, I would also throw in a few more losers to even up the money. We get a better QB for the start, a trainer in McCown, and a new Head Coach.
It works for me.
December 19th, 2014 at 2:01 pm
I’m not off the Lovie1 bandwagon yet. Getting Cutler would do it though.
December 19th, 2014 at 2:06 pm
flmike Says:
@biff barker
That only works in the other major sports, there is no salary splitting in the NFL, the contract moves with the player to his gaining team
————————-
Thanks Mike. I stand corrected.
December 19th, 2014 at 2:15 pm
If Jay Cutler ends up being our starter…Ever…..I will burn my bucs gear buy a calvin pissing on the bucs sticker for my truck get direct tv and never watch another bucs game until he is gone. As much as I would like to see an upgrade at qb….the biggest need on this team is the oline. Not only is our qb constantly being driven to the ground but our lack of running game further supports the issue. If our defense continues to improve and we can somehow put together a solid oline I could see mccow taking us to the playoffs. But the only way it would work is with a top 3 oline. He is horrible when under constant pressure. A lot of qbs are as well but he is horrible. If it were up to me I would draft one qb with the first pick and all olinemen after that.
December 19th, 2014 at 2:16 pm
this would be something this idiot lovie would do. go head moron it will be your nail in the coffin!
December 19th, 2014 at 2:21 pm
@ BFFL
Problem is the two top QB prospects are more likely to be Kapernick 2.0 (Mariota) or incarcerated by 25 (Jameis). A true shame that Jameis isn’t more mature in making off field decisions, he probably has more physical upside than any QB since Luck. I have a feeling that the best NFL QB from this upcoming draft will be snagged in rounds 2-4 by a team that actually has the right coaches to develop a young QB…ugh it truly is a Buc’s life sometimes 🙁
December 19th, 2014 at 2:27 pm
But if you’re bored and want a good laugh go find a Tennessee Titans fan blog and read some comments. Funny how you could seamlessly replace the words Titans, “Whizzy”, and Mettenberger with Buccaneers, Lovie, and Glennon and you’d swear it was the same fanbase! They have an equal share of guys wanting to fire everyone as well as apologists…we are not alone in out frustration from being 2-tanking
December 19th, 2014 at 2:27 pm
We would still get short changed in such a trade. Johnson is a $6m cap hit, Collins is a $6m cap hit. Only $12 million saved.
Cutler has 6 YEARS left on his contract, and the numbers go up each year, reaching as much as $21m in 2020.
No way. Better if the Bears cut him and we sign him for a fraction of that. What we pay him would be deducted from what the Bears pay him for the next 6 years.
So we can pay him $4m per year, and the Bears would still have to pay what they owe him minus what we pay him. Heck, pay him a dollar a game 😉
If I understand it right, I mean. His dead space drops from $19,500,000 next year to $3,000,000 the following year.
December 19th, 2014 at 2:29 pm
Kevin, go now. Save yourself the stress. You’ll come back when they start winning.
December 19th, 2014 at 2:30 pm
No.
December 19th, 2014 at 2:38 pm
“No way. Better if the Bears cut him and we sign him for a fraction of that. What we pay him would be deducted from what the Bears pay him for the next 6 years.”
Thats not how it works…
There are no offsets in players contracts, a players guaranteed money is paid by whomever the player is playing for or traded to. If said player is cut and is still owed guaranteed money, the team that cuts him is still on the hook for his guaranteed money. What you’re thinking about is situations where coaches get fired and have offset clauses in their contracts.
December 19th, 2014 at 2:39 pm
Cutler WOULD absolutely be an upgrade over the QBs we have now – but man I just HATE that idea. The only way it would be worth it would be if Chicago cuts him and we sign him to a 2 year deal for 7 or $8M per year with little or no guaranteed money. That’s not gonna happen. Someone will pay him more and Cutler ain’t worth it. I feel sorry for Chicago a little bit in this situation. That could have been the Bucs but way worse if Freeman had been signed to a big contract extension like many wanted after 2012. At least Dominick got that one (non)move right….
Assuming we lose out – just draft whichever QB you have rated highest with 1st pick and hopefully he will turn into the franchise QB we have always dreamed of.
If not – I’m sure either Winston or Mariota will be a big upgrade at QB in their 1st year vs what we have now regardless.
Bucs MUST draft a QB with 1st pick this year unless both top prospects are off the board.
December 19th, 2014 at 2:39 pm
this is how desperate the media is to put together some kind of story in tampa…..nothing going on in the field so everyone getting fired from another losing team is all of a sudden I major possibility to come to tampa and with a massive salary…yea just brilliant stuff
December 19th, 2014 at 2:42 pm
RE; Josh Freeman…
He was owed $6mil by the Bucs, when he was signed by the Vikings they paid him $3 mil, he collected $9 mil for basically nothing that season.
December 19th, 2014 at 2:52 pm
Just talked to one of our contract gurus, actually there is offsets for player contracts, but the language must be specified in the contract it is not automatic and must be agreed upon by both parties. It is unknown weather Cutler’s contract has an offset clause in his contract, speculation is probably not, from what I have heard Chicago is on the hook for his guaranteed money, which would allow Cutler to double dip like Freeman did….
December 19th, 2014 at 3:02 pm
I posted this story yesterday ad no one listened, this fits perfectly in dummy lovies DNA, and you betcha if he can get it done there is probably a better than a 60% chance he will. he doesn’t trust rookies, and this will give him an out from the pressure of the first pick, probably trade for more picks, expect heavy defense who he does trust, and some O-line. you see this idiot actually thinks they are on the cusp of being a playoff contender, and plugging in cutler at QB would get him over the hump. sorry to inform you stoneface, j cutler is not the answer. this is why I advocate firing this delusional SOB now, or yesterday would have been much better. have a nice day everyone… except for you lovie!
December 19th, 2014 at 3:04 pm
I see this as more likely than drafting a QB with our pick. Unless the Glazers drop the hammer on Lovie and make him draft a QB.
December 19th, 2014 at 3:06 pm
flmike Says:
December 19th, 2014 at 2:52 pm
From what I have heard Chicago is on the hook for his guaranteed money, which would allow Cutler to double dip like Freeman did….
Which means there is no way the Bears will just cut him. If this is true – its all a moot point. Bears will NOT cut Cutler owing him so much guaranteed $ and Nobody is going to trade for that ridiculous contract for a barely – if not less than – average QB (IMO – others think Cutler is better than average but I don’t)
December 19th, 2014 at 3:11 pm
Man, I feel both sides of this but if Tampa getting cutler means we can fall back in the draft and get more picks I’m almost for it. I don’t like cutler but there is no certainty that the draft prospects would be any better than cutler, I’m torn here sadly
December 19th, 2014 at 3:15 pm
Yeah right lovie won’t pick that fool he dropped Barth for a rookie he going to start McCown and Mario-ta will take over after the bye….
December 19th, 2014 at 3:21 pm
Yes. Bring in Cutler. Hire a OC to compliment him.
December 19th, 2014 at 3:31 pm
Trade down in the draft and collect draft picks. Draft OL to protect Cutler and block for the run game.
December 19th, 2014 at 3:40 pm
people lol do you honestly think anyone in this organization is able to pull off a stupid move like that unless his last name is GLAZER? nothing is going to restore faith in the bucs direction, nothing is going to buy more time for this team than drafting a quarterback 1st or 2nd overall, lovie isn’t the only one buying time…..the glazer boys are nothing compared to their father and we’ve been a losing franchise ever since they took over….its a shame they way this team is representing his memory and playing this awful with MG patches on those jerseys
December 19th, 2014 at 3:54 pm
In the immortal words of Rob Riggle as Officer Franklin from the Hangover…..”NOT UP IN HERE!!”
December 19th, 2014 at 3:55 pm
I’d rather have Trestman as OC.
December 19th, 2014 at 4:11 pm
Sounds like the kind of deal a dude named “lovie” would make. WHO the hell names their boy lovie?
December 19th, 2014 at 4:13 pm
@Yar – I’ll second that. It’s pretty clear that they’re incompatible. Trestman clearly works well with McCown and he has a much better chance of working well with the next QB we bring in than he does with Cutler. They may be wearing a different uniform but if it’s a similar scheme then he’s not going to be any better in it
December 19th, 2014 at 4:13 pm
Bosscantworkmytoehurts,
I think the parents who named Lovie are some how related to the parents who named Leslie.
December 19th, 2014 at 4:14 pm
Cutler literally can’t be cut. The Bears are not dedicating 1/7th of their cap to nobody because that’s how much the dead cap space is for cutting him. They’ll trade him for a bargain basement price, but no way do they cut him. Would be basically going into next year with the intention of tanking.
December 19th, 2014 at 4:17 pm
In my mind Cutler has the haze about him, clearly not enough bang for the Bucs. “He is better than what we got now”, Is he? How is he even better than McCown? The Bears should have never let Lovie go.
December 19th, 2014 at 4:32 pm
The Bearcaneers with Lovie, McCown and Cutler reunited, a Lovie lovefest. There goes a QB drafted top. Da Bucs!
December 19th, 2014 at 4:35 pm
I hope this Cutler to the Bucs is pure BS.
December 19th, 2014 at 5:05 pm
CUTLER WILL CUT U ALL!
December 19th, 2014 at 5:27 pm
I would IMMEDIATLY put my 4 season tickets of 28 years up for sale, IMMEDIATLY!!
December 19th, 2014 at 6:34 pm
Calm down, everyone. Cutler is NOT leaving Chicago, much less coming to Tampa. Not… going… to happen. Save your stress for the draft.
As I see it…
Lovie has a wonderful, no-cost, no-risk, situation at QB. It seems, to me, that the prudent thing to do, would be to deactivate Glennon, and bring Kafka up into the starting position. With two ‘real’ games (unlike preseason garbage), Lovie would find out if Kafka is (A) worth keeping, (B) elevating to the #1/#2 position, or (C) just another position that needs a replacement.
December 19th, 2014 at 8:21 pm
I dunno if we trade back for a ransom and get cutler on the cheap….would that be bad? Jamis is a train wreck and marcus is one read and run
December 19th, 2014 at 11:18 pm
Imagine if Chuckie actually won the bidding war for Cutler’s services back when he went to Chicago? Giving up the 2 first rounders in ’09 and ’10 plus a 3rd rounder; of course I doubt if the 2010 pick would have been a 3rd overall (McCoy). Man this team would be different and it probably would not be any worse plus as Chuckie would have his qb so he would not have been fired as the Glazers would not have been trying to force him to get a franchise qb that led to his outting….
December 19th, 2014 at 11:25 pm
Just say no
December 19th, 2014 at 11:36 pm
I know what I want: the Bucs to overtake the Titans and get the #1 overall and for the Philly Eagles to make an idiotic trade for Mr Cutler, maybe that will help sink their franchise to the level of the Bucs and Redskins as bottom feeders in the NFC…. There seems to be more internet chatter about Philly getting Cutler than the Bucs….