Brandon Marshall Trade: Why It Was The Wrong Move For The Chicago Bears by Carlos Nazario

Dec 4, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) after throwing an interception in the end zone against the Dallas Cowboys during the second half of their game at Soldier Field. The Cowboys won 41-28. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

The trade of wide receiver Brandon Marshall to the New York Jets has ignited speculation that Chicago Bears’ quarterback Jay Cutler will be next to follow Marshall out the door. Cutler’s contract makes it a near impossible feat for the team to find a trade partner but one may exist in the Tennessee Titans.

Following the trade of wide receiver Brandon Marshall to the New York Jets, will the Chicago Bears follow up with a trade of quarterback Jay Cutler?

If the Bears have their wish, Cutler would be traded before next Thursday. $10 million of Cutler’s 2016 salary becomes fully guaranteed on Thursday. If Cutler is on the Bears’ roster when the $10 million locks in, then he is all but assured to be the team’s quarterback for at least the next two seasons.

If Bears’ general manager Ryan Pace and head coach John Fox were committed to Cutler for the next two seasons, the two would have said so already. Instead, the Bears have made it known to the other teams that Cutler is indeed available on the trade market. Though, the Bears may find difficulty in moving Cutler and the $15.5 million guaranteed that he carries for the 2015 season.

One team, however, may exist that has interest in Cutler. That team is the Tennessee Titans. According to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, one source has the Titans as the only “realistic” trading partner for the Bears when it comes to moving Cutler.

One trade that would seemingly make sense is the Bears’ packaging Cutler and their seventh overall selection in the 2015 NFL Draft for the Titans’ second overall selection in the draft. Such a trade would then allow the Bears to draft Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota with the second overall selection in the 2015 NFL Draft.

A trade of Cutler would need to materialize quickly for the Bears because once the $10 million kicks in on Thursday, the idea of trading the quarterback becomes a pipedream.