Bears Will Reportedly Bench Jay Cutler and Start Jimmy Clausen

Head coach Marc Trestman has seen enough out of the struggling Cutler to warrant a benching.

Image via USA TODAy Sports/Matt Marton

In January, the Chicago Bears inked a seven-year extension with Jay Cutler worth a reported $126 million. With valuable offensive weapons, like Matt Forte, Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffrey and Martellus Bennett, at Cutler's disposal, the Bears were expecting big things out of the 31-year-old quarterback this season and beyond. Instead, Chicago has reportedly decided to bench him in favor of backup Jimmy Clausen with only two games left in the 2014 campaign.    

So far this season, Cutler has responded to the big payday with a career-high in touchdowns (28). But he has coupled that positive output with the second-highest interceptions (18) and most fumbles (9) of his career. Even though head coach Marc Trestman made it a point to address the offense as a whole, according to ESPN, Cutler hasn't lived up to the expectations that come with being the highest-paid offensive player in the league. 

Back in November, rumors were circulating that Cutler could be traded in the offseason. This latest move should only add to the speculation surrounding his future with the team. 

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[via ESPN]

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