Jets interested in Jay Cutler as possible QB fallback

Jay-E-T-S?

With quarterback options running low, the Jets are considering signing veteran Jay Cutler, according to a source. Cutler was released by the Bears on Thursday after they outbid the Jets for Mike Glennon.

The main question with Cutler, as it was with Glennon, is the price. The Jets are committed to not overpaying a free-agent quarterback. Glennon reportedly got $14.5 million per year from Chicago, and that is on the low end for starting quarterbacks. Cutler does not appear to have many options to start other than the Jets, so his price might be considerably lower or he could insist on being paid like an NFL starting quarterback, which probably would start at $12 million.

It is a similar dance to the one the Jets went through with Ryan Fitzpatrick a year ago.

Cutler also seems like a poor fit for the Jets, who are in the midst of a complete rebuild. He turns 34 next month and is coming off surgery on his throwing shoulder. He also throws interceptions at an alarming rate — 109 in 102 games with the Bears. Cutler is not known for being good in the locker room, and the Jets had chemistry issues last year. He also has battled the media, which is never a good trait for someone coming to the largest media market in the league.

NFL Network reported Cutler has interest in the Jets, but you have to wonder if he wants to come into a situation where the team is clearly going young. There were reports last month he would retire if he did not find a situation that suited him.

New Jets quarterback coach Jeremy Bates was Cutler’s position coach in 2007-08 with the Broncos and again in 2012 with the Bears. That could be a selling point for Cutler.

At the moment, the Jets don’t have too many ways to go. Jets targets Glennon, Tyrod Taylor and Brian Hoyer all signed elsewhere. Besides Cutler, the top free agents are Colin Kaepernick, Matt Barkley and Josh McCown. They also could bring back Geno Smith, who became a free agent on Thursday.

The Jets are looking for a veteran to join Christian Hackenberg and Bryce Petty, both of whom will compete for the starting job, coach Todd Bowles said last week.

A few other quarterback dominoes are falling that could open up other options for the Jets.

ESPN reported later backed away from that report, and any trades seem unlikely as the Jets want to keep their draft picks.

Then, the Texans traded Brock Osweiler to the Browns in a blockbuster deal. It was immediately reported Cleveland was shopping Osweiler and may even cut him. Again, any trade from the Jets perspective seems unlikely because they want to add picks, not deal them. But, if the Browns cut Osweiler, the Jets could view him as an option.

The Browns also may cut Robert Griffin III, according to several reports. The Jets had Griffin in for a visit last year during free agency, so he also could be an option.