Peter King: ‘Bruce Arians-Jay Cutler marriage’ could happen

There have been rumors that Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo could wind up in Glendale soon, and, although ESPN has called this pairing unlikely, another aging quarterback who may not be on his team much longer could find his way to Arizona.

Monday Morning Quarterback’s Peter King said he’s “not going to be shocked” if Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler “ends up in Arizona.”

Name the counter-culture coach who likes to take shots on guys hated by lots of down-the-middle coaches and GMs, who is the biggest proponent of the deep ball of any coach in football, and who may need said deep ball thrower because his quarterback turns 38 this year. I think I just made a Bruce Arians-Jay Cutler marriage—and Arizona can wait until the Bears cut him and sign Cutler for two years and incentives. This doesn’t mean Arizona won’t aggressively scout college kids though.

Playing with King’s idea of a “Bruce Arians-Jay Cutler marriage,” it could be wise to have a seasoned veteran on the team as Carson Palmer enters his 15th season, as veteran backup Drew Stanton and unproven Zac Dysert are the only other quarterbacks on the roster.

The 33-year-old Cutler is no spring chicken himself; however, and his play took a major step back in 2016. He threw more interceptions (five) than touchdowns (four) for the first time in his career and missed 11 games with thumb and shoulder injuries.

It seems likely that the Bears will release Cutler this offseason, as the team is looking to go a different route at quarterback next season.

The strong-armed gunslinger out of Vanderbilt University is entering his 12th season in the league after being drafted 11th overall in the 2006 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos.

Even though he threw for 4,526 yards and 25 touchdowns in 2008, Cutler was traded the next offseason along with a fifth-round pick to the Bears for quarterback Kyle Orton, two first-round picks and a third-round selection.

Despite a relatively average first five seasons in Chicago and much to the chagrin of many of their fans, the Bears signed Cutler to a 7-year, $126.7 million contract extension in 2014.

If the Cardinals were to bring in Cutler, he could be in line to start whenever Palmer decides to retire. While Cutler would likely not be viewed as the franchise quarterback Cardinals GM Steve Keim desires, he could act as a serviceable bridge to a young quarterback of the future.

It seems that Cutler would be a more plausible fit with a team like the San Francisco 49ers or New York Jets that is in dire need of an immediate starting quarterback, but the opportunity to play with exciting, young playmakers, such as running back David Johnson and wide receiver John Brown, might be too good to pass up.