Wait, Jay Cutler Got a Bonus?
Dec 4, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
The Chicago Bears announced the performance based bonuses last week and I nearly fell out of my chair when I read that Jay Cutler actually received a bonus. I know, I know. Everyone gets a share of the performance based bonus, but really? Does Jay Cutler deserve a $6808 bonus after the train wreck of a season? Does Jay Cutler really need a bonus after earning the biggest paycheck in the NFL last season?
The bonus program makes sense for guys like Michael Ola, the Bears’ top recipient, who pulled in $266,554. Ola was pressed into starting duty, starting 12 games and appearing in 13. Ola made a meager $420k last season as a part of a 3-year deal he signed last season. He wasn’t expected to start or contribute as much as he did. That’s was a bonus is supposed to be.
Other Bears who were near the top of the performance bonus were Christian Jones ($222k), Jordan Mills ($204k), Brock Vereen ($190k) and Demontre Hurst ($159k). These are all middle round draft picks to undrafted free agents who aren’t big money guys who played a lot more than expected.
So how does it make any sense that Cutler and other starters who made millions take in this extra pocket money? Did anyone watch Cutler’s 2014 season? Did the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions chip in to give Cutler an allotment from their bonus pools?
Jay Cutler’s was awarded a $6808 bonus. Let’s see how that breaks down:
$1361.60 per Win (5-11)
$18.40 per Completion (370 completions)
$1.79 per Pass Yard (3812 yards)
$243 per Touchdown (28 TD’s)
$372 per Interception (18 INT’s)
And that’s just the bonus! Don’t think about how much his regular contract breaks down.
Bonuses are meant to serve as a reward for going beyond expectations. The only way he earned a bonus was for exceeding any wildest expectations for how bad he could possibly be.