QB Jay Cutler Out for the Season; Has He Played His Last Game With the Bears?

CHICAGO, IL — The season — and possibly his Chicago career — is over for Bears quarterback Jay Cutler. Coach John Fox announced Thursday that Culter has been placed on injured reserve and will have surgery to repair his injured right shoulder Saturday, according to ESPN.

Cutler tore his right labrum during the Bears' Nov. 20 loss against the New York Giants. Despite the injury, he played the entire game but didn't play in Sunday's game against the Tennessee Titans, which Chicago lost, 27-21. Matt Barkley, who started Sunday's game, is expected to start at quarterback for the Bears, according to the team's website.

The announcement Thursday wasn't a surprise to many NFL observers who had been speculating that Cutler's injury would keep him off the field for the rest of the year. Many fans also have been clamoring for the Bears to let go of the controversial quarterback, but up until now, the guaranteed money on his seven-year, $126-million contract eliminated the option of cutting him.

"$54 million: Cost of Jay Cutler to the Bears over the last 3 seasons. Team was 12-23 in games with Cutler. He threw for 53 TDs and 34 INTs.," ESPN senior writer Darren Rovell wrote on the network's website.

RELATED: Are the Bears Better or Worse Without Jay Cutler?

Without a guaranteed payout next year and uncertainty about the health of his shoulder, the Bears could release Cutler and not take a financial hit. Even if he was kept on the roster, his salary would only be $15 million, a deal for a veteran starting quarterback, especially one who holds as many team records as Cutler does.

But if they do let go of Cutler, the Bears don't have an obvious heir apparent to quarterback — arguably the most important position on the field in the offensive-minded NFL. Barkley has only started one pro game in his entire career, and Brian Hoyer, the other QB on the team's roster who's also on injured reserve, has been wildly inconsistent.

RELATED: 5 Reasons Why Bears Fans Love to Hate Jay Cutler

Add that to the fact that many NFL draft experts consider next year's quarterback crop to be weak, and suddenly Cutler doesn't seem to be such a bad option under center. At least for a year.

YOUR TURN: Should the Bears release quarterback Jay Cutler? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments section.

photo via Patch archive

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