Jay Cutler will not start the Chicago Bears game against their divisional foes the Detroit Lions on Sunday, but the signal caller is hopeful to remain under center long-term for the team amid his future with the club becoming murky.
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Coach Marc Trestman has opted to bench Cutler for the struggling Bears (5-9) matchup with the NFC North-leading Detroit Lions (10-4) Sunday and the quarterback admitted it "crossed his mind" that he may have suited up for the last time as Chicago's signal caller.
Trestman has opted to start backup Jimmy Clausen over the incumbent Cutler, who is only 14 games into a seven-year $126.7 million contract.
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"You sign a seven-year deal, and you think you're going to be here for a while," Cutler told ESPN on Thursday. "I'm still hopeful that's going to ring true, that we'll have another shot at this. But after this last game, a lot could happen."
Trestman's announcement came just two days after Cutler struggled in an embarrassing 31-15 loss to the New Orleans Saints under the bright lights of Monday Night Football.
Cutler was sacked a season-high seven times in the loss and threw three interceptions compared to just two touchdowns. Cutler has a league-worst 24 turnovers this season with 18 of them being picks.
Cutler, who makes $22.5 million this season and is guaranteed $15.5 million next year, admitted he's been frustrated with his campaign thus far and having to sit out Sunday's game.
"I'm still disappointed whether they pay me or don't. I don't like being in this situation. I don't like having to sit up here and answer questions about me not being able to play on Sunday," Cutler said. "I'd rather get paid less and be able to play on Sunday and play at a high level if that was possible. But it's not right now. The security of the contract is nice, but I would trade that for reversing our record and playing better football."
Cutler is 347-for-525 (66.1 percent) thus far this season for 3,640 yards with 28 touchdowns and the 18 interceptions.
Cutler, 31, has spent the last six seasons with the Bears and hopes to remain a part of the Chicago franchise for a long time, but admitted there are some question marks about his future going forward and if he'll end up playing somewhere else in 2015.
"I think everyone would. It's a natural response to wonder that," Cutler said. "Whatever happens at the point between after the season in March, or whenever they make decisions, we'll cross that when we get there. I would like to stay here. I really like it here. I love the guys in the locker room I get to play with. Clearly, [there's a] different circumstance now. But going forward, this is where I'd like to be."
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