Former NFL signal caller Jay Cutler was brought in to be the savior of not just one, but two different franchises.
However, whether it was injury, lack of offensive talent, coaching turnover, or a constant shuffling of offensive coordinators, Cutler only tasted the playoffs once.
It wasn’t like Cutler didn’t have talent.
Name a Chicago Bears quarterback better than Jay Cutler ✏️ pic.twitter.com/mn0p1UPlgU
— Beerly Football (@BeerlyFootball) June 22, 2023
In fact, during his 12-year career, he led the AFC once in passing yards (leading to a Pro Bowl) and had seven seasons of 3,000 or more passing yards.
On the flip side, Cutler twice led the NFL in single-season interceptions.
No matter how one analyzed and examined the particulars, Cutler never became the franchise quarterback that both the Denver Broncos and Chicago Bears hoped for.
In the end, he always seemed to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
This is the story of the life and career of Jay Cutler.
The kid from Santa Claus
Jay Christopher Cutler was born on April 29, 1983, in Santa Claus, Indiana.
Jay Cutler Dressed as Santa Claus Will Get You in the Christmas Spirit https://t.co/AomDYSzqPO pic.twitter.com/DenIKpEOZJ
— Ocean Pop 💎 (@OceanPopNews) December 13, 2019
As a native of hoops-mad Indiana, Cutler took to playing basketball, but he was also a natural at football.
When he arrived at Heritage Hills High School in Lincoln City, Indiana in the late 1990s, Cutler was already developing into his eventual 6’3, 230-pound frame.
He possessed a rocket for an arm and a competitiveness that the Patriots had not seen before.
Cutler wasted no time asserting his dominance at the quarterback position and became the Patriots’ starter as a sophomore.
While under center, Cutler led Heritage High on a winning streak that included 26 victories against just one loss during his junior and senior years combined.
State Champs
In 2000, the senior led the Patriots to the school’s first-ever 3-A state title game after a perfect season.
Cutler’s stats that year included 2,252 passing yards, 31 passing touchdowns, 493 rushing yards, 11 rushing touchdowns, and a whopping nine interceptions at safety.
During the championship game, Cutler scrambled for a one-yard touchdown in the second quarter while making 19 tackles on defense.
After the game went into overtime, Cutler lateraled the ball to speedy running back Cole Seifrig during the Patriots’ first OT possession.
"@MattGlenesk Heritage Hills QB Jay Cutler after winning 2000 3A state title pic.twitter.com/ObzlWpV5PS" @ktferro @TankDickman
— stuck (@jcstuckey) November 29, 2013
Seifrig then surprised everyone when he took a few steps, then pivoted and threw the pigskin across the field to Cutler.
The quarterback sprinted in for the winning 12-yard touchdown to give Heritage Hills its first-ever state championship.
Tight End?
As a prep athlete, Cutler won a state title in football and was named first-team All-State.
On the hardwood, Cutler poured in 1,131 career points for Heritage Hills and was a first-team All-State selection as a senior.
For good measure, Cutler played baseball for Heritage as a shortstop and took home honorable mention All-State honors.
His athleticism and Indiana Offensive Player of the Year award for football attracted the attention of major college recruiters including Illinois and Purdue.
In a 2020 interview with Barstool Sports, Cutler explained that the Boilermakers wanted him to play safety, which is not the position Cutler wanted to play.
The Illini wanted Cutler to wait until the winter semester after his senior year to enroll because they liked another kid for quarterback.
Cutler turned down Illinois’ offer as well.
#CFB returns in 6 Weeks
QB Jay Cutler – Vanderbilt pic.twitter.com/YxkuJJpv4Y
— NCAAF Nation (@NCAAFNation247) July 15, 2023
Then, according to Cutler, Vanderbilt University (a school known more for its basketball program) called him out of the blue one day with some odd news.
“We just watched your tape, we’re kind of cleaning up the rest of our recruiting. We like it but we don’t think you can play tight end in the SEC,” Culter recalled the Vanderbilt recruiter saying. “I was like, “Well, it’s fine. I don’t even play tight end.”
Vanderbilt called back hours later and offered Cutler a scholarship as a quarterback provided he accepted by the end of the day.
Cutler had no idea where Vanderbilt was, but when he told his parents about the offer, they made the decision for him.
“So, I did a little bit more research, whatever a 17-year-old kid could do at that point,” continued Cutler. “I called him [guy at Vandy] and I’m like, “’Alright, I’m in. Let’s do this.’” And then like two weeks later, went down for a visit and stuff. And the rest is history.”
Cutler Excels as a Commodore
Cutler arrived in Nashville, Tennessee in 2001 for his first year with Vanderbilt and redshirted.
The following season he became the immediate starter and did not relinquish his role for four years.
During the 2002 season, Cutler passed for over 1,400 yards, 10 touchdowns, and nine interceptions, and scored nine touchdowns on the ground.
Vandy went 2-10 under first-year head coach Bobby Johnson.
Regardless of the team’s record, Cutler was honored as a first-team All-SEC member and a third-team Freshman All-American.
Vandy won only two games again in 2003 while Culter became a team captain and passed for 2,347 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions.
Throwback Thursday The College Years: Jay Cutler, Vanderbilt https://t.co/tn1VdL9oHp pic.twitter.com/ifpw3Ub5r3
— allthings18 (@ALLTHINGS18) April 4, 2019
Along the way, he had the highest completion percentage (57.2) for a Commodore quarterback since 1990.
Even with Cutler under center and setting program records, he couldn’t get Vandy over the hump and the team won only two games in 2004 for the third year in a row.
That didn’t stop Cutler from topping his previous year’s completion percentage total (61.0) and throwing for 10 touchdowns against five picks.
The quarterback was also deadly running the pigskin and scored six rushing touchdowns.
Senior Year
While playing for Vanderbilt, Cutler simply wanted to bring the school a winning record and a bowl game appearance.
The major issues, as many media members pointed out at the time, were the Commodore’s preference in running the ball, lack of skill position athletes, and poor offensive line play.
Still, Cutler left it all out on the field and never missed a game in four years due to injury, though he was hammered quite often by opposing defenders.
Great moment in @VandyFootball history:
Vanderbilt 28, Tennessee 24 – 2005
Jay Cutler finished his Commodore career with a 28-24 win at Tennessee, marking Vanderbilt’s first over the Volunteers since 1982. #SECFB x #CFB150 » https://t.co/WGDGFL5o2h pic.twitter.com/rZwN665OYw
— Southeastern Conference (@SEC) November 1, 2019
In 2005, he willed Vandy to five victories while also upsetting in-state rival Tennessee on November 19.
The win over the Volunteers was the first for the Commodores in 22 tries.
Cutler was a team captain again and passed for a career-high 3,073 yards, 21 touchdowns, and nine interceptions.
He was named the SEC’s Offensive Player of the Year, first-team All-SEC, and was a finalist for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, Davey O’Brien Award, Manning Award, and Sammy Baugh Trophy.
During his college career, Cutler passed for 8,697 yards, 59 touchdowns, 36 interceptions, and rushed for 1,256 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Starting Bears QB Jay Cutler will be inducted into Vanderbilt University hall of fame on Friday. #Vandy #Cutty pic.twitter.com/tlPQvPX8S5
— Bears SPORTalk (@SPORTalkBears) January 20, 2016
Cutler also set several program records including total offense (9,953 yards), passing yards, and passing touchdowns.
In 2016, Vanderbilt inducted Cutler into its Athletics Hall of Fame.
Pre-Draft Wheeling and Dealing
In the weeks leading up to the 2006 NFL Draft, pro football pundits were nearly unanimous that Cutler was the third-best quarterback in the draft.
Those same prognosticators had him ranked behind USC’s Matt Leinart and Texas quarterback Vince Young.
Several teams interviewed Cutler including franchises that needed a quarterback such as the Tennessee Titans and Arizona Cardinals.
Meanwhile, on January 22, 2006, the Denver Broncos played the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship game.
Denver had won 13 games that season led by quarterback Jake “the Snake” Plummer and were thought to be Super Bowl favorites.
Fourteen years ago, Jay Cutler joined family, coaches, teammates and fans for a draft-day party in the Gulch.
The 2005 SEC Offensive Player of the Year didn’t have to wait long. He was selected 11th overall by Denver.#NFLDraft | #AnchorDown pic.twitter.com/v0Of2LAgai
— Vanderbilt Football (@VandyFootball) April 23, 2020
However, even playing at home that day, the Broncos were waxed, 34-17.
The primary issue centered on Plummer, who threw two interceptions and was blamed for the loss by the coaching staff.
After the upset loss, the Broncos front office and head coach Mike Shanahan secretly looked for a quarterback who could possibly replace Plummer.
Denver Surprises Cutler
Shanahan and general manager Ted Sundquist began looking for trade partners as both knew they couldn’t get any of the three quarterbacks at their 29th overall draft spot.
In a 2015 Bleacher Report article, Sundquist detailed the process he took in drafting Cutler.
Part of the process included pouring over pre-draft evaluations by scouts and front-office personnel and making phone calls to other teams.
Shanahan called his contacts around the NFL and was told by then-Titans coach Jeff Fisher that Tennessee liked Young.
“We had sat down with them all [each quarterback],” Fisher said. “And we knew Vince was going to be the pick, so in that situation, I talked to Mike about the guys as people. We knew, in our situation, Vince was the pick, we weren’t compromising that in any way.”
Finally, the day before the draft, Denver traded with the Atlanta Falcons to move up to the 15th spot.
Tennessee picked Young third overall and Leinart went to Arizona at 10.
To ensure that they didn’t lose out on their guy, the Broncos traded up again (with the St. Louis Rams) to the 11th spot.
“The Denver Broncos select…Jay Cutler, Vanderbilt University.” pic.twitter.com/ZPlaoa6edy
— The Dore Report (@TheDoreReport) April 29, 2021
With the 11th overall selection in the 2006 NFL Draft, Denver took Cutler.
The pick came as a shock as the Broncos had not met or spoken with him beforehand.
“Not once,” Cutler has said. “Never. The first time I talked to him [Shanahan] was after they picked me.”
Cutler Supplants Plummer
Plummer was a popular player with Denver fans and well-liked in the Broncos’ locker room.
There was no doubt, however, that he entered 2006 looking over his shoulder.
Cutler tore it up in the preseason and threw for more passing yards than any rookie in the NFL.
He began the ‘06 season second on the depth chart while the local media spoke openly about his eventual ascension to the top spot.
After a Week 1 loss, Plummer did his best to keep Cutler at bay by leading Denver to a 7-2 record.
Then, in Week 11, the Broncos lost to division rival San Diego and suddenly there was a call to bench Plummer in favor of Cutler.
When Denver lost again the following week to Kansas City, that was it for the veteran.
Depends on your definition of "benching" (does Peyton Manning-Brock Osweiler count? Alex Smith-Colin Kaepernick?), but the 2006 Broncos held a playoff spot (7-4 record) in the AFC after Week 12 when they benched Jake Plummer in favor of Jay Cutler https://t.co/naenTdXm07
— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) November 15, 2017
Shanahan let the media know that Cutler was starting Week 13 against the Seattle Seahawks.
“I think he gives us the best chance to win now,” Shanahan told the press.
The change was not viewed favorably by many of the team’s veterans, but Cutler was thrown into the fire nonetheless.
He closed the season with a 2-3 record, 1,001 passing yards, nine touchdowns, and five interceptions.
After a 37-20 over Leinart’s Cardinals, Shanahan was overjoyed with Cutler’s performance.
“You saw what he could do today,” said Shanahan. “It doesn’t take a genius out there to figure out this guy is very composed, can make all the throws and plays with a lot of confidence.”
Denver missed the postseason with a 9-7 record.
Shanahan is Fired
In 2007, Cutler took over the starting job full-time and passed for 3,497 yards and 18 touchdowns.
He followed that with a spectacular 2008 by throwing for a career-best (and AFC-leading) 4,526 yards, 25 touchdowns, 18 picks, and adding two rushing scores.
Cutler’s peers selected him for his first, and only, Pro Bowl.
Shanahan may have proven the skeptics wrong by replacing Plummer with someone of Cutler’s ability.
The only problem was, Cutler’s stats didn’t translate to playoff appearances.
It also didn’t matter that the quarterback was developing a great connection with receiver Brandon Marshall and tight end Tony Scheffler.
10 years ago, the #Broncos fired Mike Shanahan. #Denver kept his overpriced restaurant, though. #sportsnerds pic.twitter.com/GdYzqDE5zn
— Sports Nerds (@_SportsNerds) December 30, 2018
The 2007 Broncos finished 7-9 and went 8-8 in 2008.
Based on the fact that the franchise missed the postseason three straight years, Shanahan was fired after the ‘08 season.
Cutler is Traded to Chicago
Shanahan’s departure meant that Cutler’s primary support system was no longer in Denver.
Other Cutler supporters on the Broncos staff also left to take new jobs.
Then, former New England Patriots offensive coordinator and quarterback coach Josh McDaniel was hired to take over.
The new 32-year-old head coach met with Cutler and his agent, Bus Cook, after taking the job and proceeded to tell the quarterback how much he disliked him.
Cutler and Cook left the meeting and Cutler told his agent, “Get me out of here. I don’t care how you do it.”
It didn’t take long for Cook to find plenty of suitors, especially after the statistical season Cutler just had.
On April 2, 2009, the Chicago Bears announced that they had made a trade with Denver for Cutler.
𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟐, 𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟗
Bears acquired Jay Cutler for Kyle Orton, two first round picks & a third. He threw 154 touchdowns in Chicago.
What’s your favorite Jay memory?pic.twitter.com/a4dHjZZXFu
— This Day in Chicago Sports (@ChiSportsDay) April 2, 2022
Chicago sent quarterback Kyle Orton and draft picks to the Broncos to complete the deal.
“We felt that [Cutler] is a very good person, a good leader,” Bears general manager Jerry Angelo said. “He had some things that happened in Denver. We recognized those, but we treated them as just speed bumps, part of the growing process. He’s highly competitive, he’s highly emotional. That just comes with the territory.”
Some of the Bears veterans were perplexed by the quarterback change but toed the company line.
“I guess the Bears felt like we needed another quarterback, so they made a move,” linebacker Brian Urlacher told the Chicago Tribune. “They gave up a lot. Cutler must be pretty good. I guess we got better as a team,” Urlacher added, according to the newspaper. “You get a quarterback who is a Pro Bowl guy. But I will say this: I think Kyle Orton is a good quarterback. He’s a great teammate. I hope he does really well in Denver.”
Playoff Bound
Cutler couldn’t have been happier.
Having grown up in Indiana, he had been a lifelong Bears fan and now he was the starting quarterback for the organization.
In his first season with the club, the 2009 team finished 7-9 while Cutler threw for over 3,600 passing yards and 27 touchdowns on opponents.
He also led the NFL in interceptions with 26.
Thankfully, life got better in 2010 when the Bears went 11-5 and returned to the postseason for the first time since their Super Bowl XLI loss in 2006.
Jay Cutler spoiled the Cowboys home opener in 2010 with 3️⃣ touchdown passes!
📺: #CHIvsDAL today at noon
(Via NFL Network) pic.twitter.com/X0vMNRADru
— Marquee Sky (@SkyMarquee) October 30, 2022
Cutler worked with former St. Louis Rams head coach Mike Martz as his offensive coordinator and he passed for 3,274 yards, 23 touchdowns, and reduced his interceptions to 16.
Remarkably, he posted good numbers despite being sacked 52 times by opponents.
Chicago’s postseason berth was also Cutler’s first taste of the playoffs.
In the Bears’ 35-24 win over the Seattle Seahawks, Cutler passed for two touchdowns and also rushed for two scores.
That made him the first quarterback since Otto Graham of the Cleveland Browns to have such a performance in a playoff game.
In the NFC Championship game against the Green Bay Packers, Cutler was injured in the third quarter.
You bored this Monday? Rewatch the 2010 NFC Championship game.
Jay Cutler actually was hit about every single play, don’t understand how this guys toughness was ever a question. A lot of the hits are what would have been penalties today. #SmokingJay pic.twitter.com/IhL8H3ljjh
— Bears Nation (@BearsNationCHI) July 6, 2020
He did not return and the Bears lost, 21-14.
Although Cutler was eventually diagnosed with a sprained MCL, several notable players around the NFL called Cutler out for his lack of toughness, believing he should have finished the game.
Chicago and Cutler Falter
In 2011, the relationship between Cutler and Martz frayed and the quarterback was openly hostile toward the coach.
During a Week 6 contest against Minnesota, Cutler was overheard telling a teammate to, “Tell (Martz) I said f**k him.”
With all due respect to the Mac Jones-Matt Patricia narratives, no quarterback-playcaller feud will match what Jay Cutler felt for Mike Martz. pic.twitter.com/ZVJSkFJi93
— Chris Emma (@CEmma670) December 13, 2022
Cutler downplayed the incident days later.
“Things happen,” Cutler said. “I’m not going to make a big deal out of it. It’s not a big deal. We’re all on the same team and we’re trying to win ballgames.”
A few months later, Cutler broke the thumb on his throwing hand and missed the final six games.
He returned to start 15 games in 2012 and passed for over 3,000 yards.
However, Cutler suffered a groin injury in 2013 and missed five games.
2014: The New Orleans Saints sacked Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler 7 times and had 3 interceptions in a win on Monday night football. #WhoDat pic.twitter.com/PqRDVnsBg6
— hoopsjunky (@hoopsjunky54491) December 15, 2023
In 2014, Cutler had 3,812 passing yards and a career-best 28 touchdowns.
He also led the NFL again in interceptions with 18.
While Cutler battled injuries and an up-and-down stretch, the Bears missed the postseason each year.
The team also hired and fired head coaches Lovie Smith and Marc Trestman.
Chicago Releases Cutler
Cutler continued to play in Chicago for the 2015 and 2016 seasons.
Before 2015, the organization hired former Carolina and Denver head coach John Fox to turn around their fortunes.
Chicago won nine combined games in ‘15 and ‘16.
The issue during Cutler’s time in the Windy City wasn’t only injuries but a constant revolving door of offensive coordinators and a lack of top-flight skill players.
Receiver Earl Bennett was a decent option along with the likes of Alshon Jeffery, running back Matt Forte, tight end Greg Olsen (for two years), and even Marshall, who was added to the Bears in 2012.
For one reason or another, nothing seemed to click for the team.
In 2016, Cutler sustained some injuries that limited him to five games.
The Chicago #Bears All-Time Passing TD'S Leaders
1. Jay Cutler -154
2. Sid Luckman -137
3. Bill Wade-68
4. Jim Mcmahon-67
5. Mitchell Trubisky-64#NFL #NFLRumors pic.twitter.com/K4hAUjjl1w— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) July 4, 2021
The following March, Chicago released Cutler and he decided to retire as the Bears all-time leader in passing yards and touchdowns.
“Jay was always one of the biggest competitors on our roster,” coach John Fox said. “He battled every day to get better, both himself and his teammates. He was a team guy who would offer anything he could to help the Bears. Wherever his career may take him next, I wish him nothing but success.”
During his tenure in Chicago, there were interceptions, angry exchanges with teammates, and a smug look that many media members regularly scoffed at.
No. 99: Former @Broncos and @ChicagoBears QB Jay Cutler
"He really couldn’t care less what you have to think."
📺: #NFL100 Greatest Characters on @NFLNetwork pic.twitter.com/NJz77b6GAC
— NFL (@NFL) October 12, 2019
However, as he departed Illinois, those who studied Cutler’s career closely understood that he had been unfairly castigated for things that were out of his control.
He’s Back!
Cutler wasn’t retired long.
When Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill went down with a season-ending injury in training camp before the 2017 season, the team called Cutler.
He signed a one-year deal worth $10 million and started 14 games.
Despite cracked ribs and a concussion, Cutler still passed for 2,666 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions.
He also passed for three touchdowns during a Monday Night Football victory over Tom Brady and New England in Week 14.
The last time the #Dolphins played on MNF was Week 14, 2017.
Jay Cutler had 3 TDs
Xavien Howard had 2 INTs
Kenyan Drake rushed for 114Dolphins 27, Patriots 20
Here is one of those TD passes from Cutler to Jakeem Grant.#FinsUp pic.twitter.com/4etLXBa5xP
— Mike McDaniel (@MikMcDaniel) December 11, 2023
After the 6-10 season, Cutler was praised by teammate Kenny Stills.
“People in other places have kind of given him a hard time. I got to know him as a man and as a player and I appreciate him. I like him. I’m thankful for the experience of playing with him, catching some balls from him,” said Stills.
Cutler told the media he would sign with an NFL team in 2018 only if he could be the starter.
He was not signed and retired for good.
During his career, Cutler passed for 35,133 yards, 227 touchdowns, and 160 interceptions.
He also ran for 1,682 yards and nine touchdowns.
Cutler was a one-time Pro Bowler, led the AFC once in passing yards, and played in the postseason once as a Bear.
In Retirement
Since leaving football, Cutler is perhaps best known for his nine-year marriage to actress Kristin Cavallari.
The couple had three children but divorced in 2022.
Jay Cutler: Divorcing Kristin Cavallari Made Me Even Richer! https://t.co/oML6BTfrin pic.twitter.com/HSkIVKvt8L
— seafrizzy (@seafrizzy) June 6, 2022
Cutler has appeared on a few television shows and is active in volunteer work.
He has also started businesses including “CUTS,” a meat subscription service, and Gratis Brewery, located in Nashville.
References
https://nashvillelifestyles.com/dining/food-and-drink/jay-cutler-launches-gratis-brewing/
https://www.nfl.com/news/jay-cutler-signs-one-year-deal-with-miami-dolphins-0ap3000000826497
https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/report-bears-are-releasing-qb-jay-cutler/
https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=4037373
https://legacy.ihsaa.org/Portals/0/boys%20sports/boys%20football/Box%20Scores/2000013ABoxScore.pdf
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2580349-why-i-drafted-jay-cutler-and-what-happened-from-there
https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/jay-cutler-1.html
https://vanderbilt.rivals.com/news/the-vandysports-100-no-7-jay-cutler
https://www.barstoolsports.com/blog/1746634/jay-cutler-explains-how-he-ended-up-at-vanderbilt
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CutlJa00.htm
https://www.si.com/nfl/2011/10/20/jay-cutler-on-cursing-out-mike-martz-things-happen
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