There is a new regime in charge of the Chicago Bears, and these guys are not as committed to some of the team’s cornerstone players as the previous leadership group. That much is obvious.
Both new head coach John Fox and new GM Ryan Pace spoke with the media Wednesday from the NFL combine in Indianapolis and were asked about their feelings on QB Jay Cutler. Specifically, they were asked whether they view Cutler as the franchise quarterback moving forward. Both men said the team was in no rush to make that determination.
“We’re not up against a deadline,” Fox said via the Chicago Tribune. “My experience has always been to be still, gather the information and then in turn use it to make better decisions. So we’re in that process. And we’ll keep you posted.”
Pace was on the same page as Fox about the issue. “We’re going to take our time on this,” Pace said.
Pace also expressed some concern about wide receiver Brandon Marshall, who has been doing a lot of broadcasting work in addition to playing football.
Ryan Pace says "football needs to be the No. 1 priority" when asked about Brandon Marshall. Wouldn't commit to him either.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) February 18, 2015
Marshall has a base salary of $7.5 million for next season that becomes guaranteed on March 12. The team can save nearly $4 million in salary cap space if they cut him before March 12 and $7.7 million if they designate him as a post-June 1 cut, per Rotoworld. Marshall missed the last three games of the season after suffering a collapsed lung and two broken ribs. He said last week that he knows the team can cut him.
What’s funny is that Marshall said last season he would have buyer’s remorse about Cutler if he were the Bears, but now both could end up being on their way out.
