'TD'

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/...ion-thereafter/ This is the original article that has been quoted and used all over in respect to his contract. The rest is applying the 5 million that was converted during last offseason, applying it to the contract, and accounting for the dead cap space it adds which is simple. Edit: Plus, the 10 million and 6 million grantees will be mentioned in most articles you read now on the contract, and became common knowledge. All I am doing is adding the portion of dead money left to those numbers.

It's not that it costs nothing. It's that you are locked in to at least a $16.5 million cap number year no matter what. I'm saying it cost very little more to cut him, compared to the cost of keeping Cutler around.

I'm not so sure that is true with every contract. The Bears still ate all of Peppers 8 million+ this past year. I can't remember if that was guaranteed money or money already paid out. I heard multiple sources say that was the deal with Cutler's contract. With that in mind, you are still looking at at least 10 million in cap space in 2016 if Cutler is here this year. Why mortgage $10 million in future cap space, to have Cutler here for one year? I don't see his value over replacement being worth that $10 million of future money with all of this teams needs.

You have to account for that dead cap money from converting $5 million last year to a signing bonus. It will be his $15.5 million this year + $4 million left in dead money. Next year it will be 13 million or $10 million plus the $3 left in dead money.

You can't go by those sites. Cutler's type of contract is confusing when trying to use their figures, as it doesn't accurately account for Cutler's guarantees that get locked in March of the year prior. Here's basically a break down of Cutler's contract the next 3 years. Emery converted $5 of Cutler's money into a bonus. That effectively spread that $5 million over 5 years. Every year cap hit is a million higher than his salary. If anytime he is cut, what is left of that money becomes dead money. Cutler's salary this year will be $15.5 million, his cap hit will be $16.5 million during the year, but it will cost $19.5 million against the cap if he is cut. However, the Bears have it written into his contract that if he is cut, his salary with a new team will be deducted from the Bears cap hit. So his salary with his new team will help kick that number down a few million. On March 13th of this year, 10 million of Cutler's 2016 contract becomes guaranteed. Their site doesn't account for that 10 million guaranteed. There will still be 3 million in dead money in 2016, so if he is cut after this year the Bears will have 13 million in dead money from his contract. His cap number will be $17 million that year, $16 million in base money plus $1 million of the dead money. The Bears will effectively save $4 million vs his cap number, but you will still have $13 million tied up in dead money you can't spend in 2016 if he is kept this year but cut after. In 2016, there is $6 million that gets guaranteed in for 2017. There will also be 2 million left in dead money. $8 million in dead cap space will be there in 2017 if he is kept the next 2 years.

I agree with you that there will be takers, but a lot of the media and others speculate teams will shy away because of the contract. A trade is best option, as it would free up $12.5 million extra this year, and the team gets out of the contract. I wanted to dispel the myth that the Bears would have to keep him, due to the contract, if there is not trade partner. The cap hit would ultimately be the same this year if he is kept vs being cut. In the future, there would be so much more money available. The Bears could sign 4 extra Willie Young type contracts in 2016, in comparison to if Cutler is retained this year.

When Cutler's status this year is debated, it's often the bird in the hand argument that is brought up. Who are you going to get to replace him? The answer is not a simple answer. There are no exceptional older veterans floating around this year. The draft is always a big question mark no matter how great the prospect. A large majority want to see defense, defense, defense, and maybe some O-Line in the draft. That's completely understandable, as this team has holes. But I think of Cutler as addition by subtraction. Cutting Cutler brings a hefty price tag this year, a $19.5 million dollar price tag to be exact. That is a scary number when you see it. So let's keep him around right, a bird in the handt? I say no, why throw good money after bad? If Cutler is cut and signs with a new team, the Bears recoup the money he makes this year from the new team. Now, I'm not saying Cutler will make $10 million this year with another team. I think it's more likely he will sign a contract similar to Jared Allen's contract. Allen's first year he was only paid $3 million, but will make $12.5 million the next guaranteed. That would give the team he signs with cap space this year, while letting Cutler have a decent contract in 2016. If this happens, it will cost the Bears $0 more to cut him this year than if they kept him. The team will have that $16.5 to use in free agency the next year to fill all those needs we mentioned earlier, and to use to resign their own guys. That sounds pretty darn nice to me. But let's say the Bears do keep him this year, what will the cost be to keep him or to cut him? In 2016 Cutler's cap number will be $17 million if he stays. However, if you decide to cut him then, it will cost $13 million. So that means we keep Cutler for 2 years, and than can move on right? Not so fast. There will be $8 million in cap space if he is cut after 2 years. So basically, if Cutler is back this year, he will be back for 3 years. The question isn't who can replace Cutler this year, but in the next three. My answer is, I don't know, but that's a lot of time. I also didn't know that the Super Bowl QB's would have the careers they have. I didn't know that Drew Brees would recover from a career threatening injury to become one of the best in the business. I'm sure the customer in aisle 3 eighteen years ago never thought Kurt Warner would joining the hall of fame this year. We all agree this team needs great drafts. Reasonably, the holes can't be filled in one or two drafts. The Bears will need to search for young free agents with potential like Will Young. The Bears also need to retain players like Alshon Jeffery and Kyle Long fat contracts. Why keep the bird that annually craps in your hand? Why throw good money spent after bad? Take the hit this year, to free up the money the next 2. Financially, it makes more sense

I would have paid his bail if he treated him like Fuller.

I think it's more than a little, given that he comfirmed what Feely said and expanded on it. It's more than a little since Bennett has been part of the offense for a few years and not just a few games as a kicker like Feely. He basically comfirmed that Cutler's demeanor effects the team, and a poor leader on the field. Leadership was never my gripe, but apparently the players feel it. He had personally asked Cutler if he wants he even wants to win. He aslo comfirmed that Trestman just couldn't relate to his players. He acts too smart with his football players which could hinder any future HC prospects for Trestman. Edit: He aslo hinted at Cutler having a lack of accountability being a problem.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVnBF4CoqIg

The good thing is his injury is one that won't effect his ability to run, and he would basically be back after a year of rest. I felt he was still playing at a high level before the injury. I would love to have him back if the doctor says he can go. His injury last year was a repeat of the year before, and I would want to know it's fully healed this time.

I saw that back when we were searching for a GM. The good thing there, look at number 6. The Saints were drafting pretty well according to them as Pace moved up.

Hell, bring in Moore and McCourty. End the Safety drought. It'd be expensive, but would definitely be worth it when you play Rodgers 2 times a year.

The Bears just named a Outside LB coach Clintt Hurt, which points even more at a move towards a 3-4.

In Emery's brilliance, he signed Allen for cheap last year by guaranteeing his $12.5 million this year.

It hasn't been confirmed nor denied to my knowledge.

Are you serious? Granted, the staffs hiring has bought them leeway. The ST coach is proof of that. Everyone was upset over DeCamillis' production, yet Rodgers hasn't fielded great ST play himself. The "Are you serious part" is your comparison to QB coach hire to a HC hire. Shannahan would have been franchise dooming catering, but Loggains is a positional coach. I haven't seen many comments on his positional coach hires outside of Donatell, so I'm not sure why you would expect it now. In fact, I'd argue that a QB coach with Cutler is irrelevant as he is uncoachable. That said, the hiring of Loggains isn't necessarily an indication that Cutler will be around. It's also completely possible that he is hired on his own merit, even if it may lean towards retention. If Cutler is retained, then my frustrations will be with Pace and Fox specifically and rightfully so.

It sets aside 5 million before you start. Edit: Guaranteed money definitely effects the cap number. I changed my cap number per player. I approached it different depending on the player and how long I planed to keep them around. I went between 25-35% on most, but a short term person with a low contract i may have guaranteed much higher.

I'll probably be in cap hell on there in a few years. I offered Bradford to a 3 year 22 million year deal. His cap hit is 5.8 million. I think they back loaded a lot of my contracts, but i stayed 300k under the cap.

A game or even a season can often come down to one play in the NFL. Being caught doing this should have serious repercussions in my opinion.

I finally had time to try it. This is what I ended up with. It can be seen on the link below, but below that is a summary. My GM moves The Cuts I cut Cutler, Fales, Greene, Bellamy, Mariani, and Mundy. Addressing the QB situation Clausen was resigned, and I brought in Bradford to take the helm for a few years. (with the intent to draft a QB prospect). An extra RB I added David Wilson to add to the RB rotation, he was rather cheap. The Offensive line Britton and DLP were resigned, but i didn't submit an offer to Garza. The Front 7 BJ Raji, Jared Odrick, Dwight Freeney, and Ray Maualuga were brought in to strengthen the front 7, I also brought back Sharpton. Secondarily In the secondary, I brought back Tillman as I feel he has a couple years left. I also brought in Rahim Moore so the Bears finally have a Safety. Dannielle Manning was also brought back to play some special teams and to be added to the safety platoon. Edit: I forgot to mention I also brought in Jacob Tamme as an extra TE.

Just Marshall meeting with him is a good sign. May be able to put some of the theories of Marshall being cut aside. I'm not sure the OC would be meeting with him and bs'ing if he was going to be gone.

Ian RapoportVerified account ‏@RapSheet The #Bears are hiring Adam Gase as their offensive coordinator, source said. It’s a 3-year deal.

He fits the type of staff that Fox is trying to put together. His philosophy is similar to what Fox was initially wanting with Mike Mularkey. He is older and experienced like Fangio. I wouldn't be completely against his hire.

They must have gotten it wrong. It's common knowledge that 10 million of his 2016 contract will be guaranteed in March 13th.