Jay Cutler Gets 7 Years, $126 Million: What Do You Think?

Dec 22, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) calls out instructions during the second quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

If you’re a Jay Cutler fan, today was a day to celebrate, but if you’re a Jay Cutler hater, you may want to trade in your Chicago Bears Orange and Navy for Pewter and Red and cuddle up to Lovie Smith’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the next seven seasons.  That’s because the Bears agreed to terms on a contract extension with the enigmatic quarterback that will keep Cutler in Chicago through 2020.

Official terms of the deal have yet to be disclosed, but his teammate and unofficial spokesman Brandon Marshall may have let the cat out of the proverbial bag:

The latest word is that Cutler’s deal includes $54 million in guaranteed money.  That puts his deal among the top handful of quarterback deals in the league.

The injury-shortened, one year courtship with Marc Trestman proved to be successful enough for Phil Emery and the Bears to drop an engagement ring in Cutler’s lap and consummate the relationship.  Cutler had one of the finest years in 2013 despite a couple of injuries that caused him to miss 5 games.  Cutler enjoyed the highest QB rating on his career in his first year under Marc Trestman.

The Bears finally put all of the pieces around Cutler for the first time since they traded a pair of first round draft picks and Kyle Orton for Cutler and a fifth round pick that turned out to be Johnny Knox.  In his first season running the Bears, Phil Emery traded for Cutler’s running mate  in Denver, wide receiver Brandon Marshall.  He then moved up in the second round of the draft wide receiver Alshon Jeffery, who burst on the scene in 2013.  They brought in tight end Martellus Bennett through free agency last offseason.

Through free agency and the draft, Emery rebuilt the offensive line that includes a pair of rookies and a former Pro Bowler in Jermon Bushrod.  And of course, the biggest addition was a quarterback-friendly head coach in Marc Trestman.

Now, the marriage has been made official, unless of course, Cutler or the Bears get the seven year itch.

Most importantly, what do YOU think?  Were you surprised by the deal and how quickly they were able to get it done?  Vote in our poll and post your Comments.

BEAR DOWN!!!