Even though the Jets have filled out their coaching staff by hiring quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates, the speculation continues about how the organization will address Bates’ position.
With quarterbacks Ryan Fitzpatrick and Geno Smith almost certainly goners in free agency — and young, unproven guys Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg set to return — it seems entirely possible the Jets will sign a more proven veteran quarterback.
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And Bates has a relationship with one such quarterback who likely will hit free agency — the Bears’ Jay Cutler, who turns 34 in April.
Bates was Cutler’s position coach with the Bears for one season (2012). Cutler started his career in Denver from 2006-08. Bates coached with the Broncos for that entire time.
In 2006, Bates was a lower-level assistant, working mainly with the offensive line. He worked with quarterbacks and receivers in 2007. And in 2008, Bates was Denver’s quarterbacks coach, while also calling plays during games.
So Bates has worked directly with Cutler for three seasons (2007-08 and 2012). And 2008 just so happens to be the only time Cutler has made the Pro Bowl. That also is a long time ago.
Here are Cutler’s stats from his three seasons working with Bates:
2007: 20 touchdowns, 14 interceptions, 88.1 rating
2008: 25 touchdowns, 18 interceptions, 86.0 rating
2012: 19 touchdowns, 14 interceptions, 81.3 rating
In terms of quarterback rating, 2007 was the fifth-best of Cutler’s 11-year career, while 2008 was seventh-best, and 2012 was third-worst.
Cutler was productive in 2015: 21 touchdowns, 11 picks, and a career-best 92.3 rating. But he couldn’t stay healthy in 2016: five games, four touchdowns, five picks, 78.1 rating. Cutler dealt with injuries to his thumb and shoulder last season. Is he breaking down?
Cutler definitely is aging, at least, so it makes sense for the Bears to cut him this offseason. They’d create $14 million in salary cap space by doing so, with just $2 million in dead money attached. And they draft third, so they can pick a quarterback there if they want.
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Another free agent quarterback option for the Jets is the 49ers’ Colin Kaepernick, who will opt out of his contract. The Jets’ new offensive coordinator, John Morton, coached wide receivers for the 49ers from 2011-14. Kaepernick was a productive player from 2012-14.
Look, neither Cutler nor Kaepernick is an ideal option. Cutler is old and coming off an injury. Kaepernick is younger, at 29, but his production dropped off after 2014. Yet this is the unenviable position the Jets find themselves in, once again, with their quarterback situation.
Darryl Slater may be reached at dslater@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DarrylSlater. Find NJ.com Jets on Facebook.
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