Friday 10 March 2017 13:02, UK
Chicago have released quarterback Jay Cutler and replaced him with Mike Glennon, who has signed a three-year deal with the Bears.
Free agency began with a flurry of activity but the moves at Soldier Field were widely expected as Cutler has not lived up to the expectation having signed a seven-year deal in 2014, while NFL Insider reports linked Tampa Bay's Glennon with a move to the Midwest.
Chicago had tried unsuccessfully to trade Cutler, who has spent eight seasons with the Bears, before the start of the league year on Thursday but with no offers forthcoming his departure was confirmed in a statement.
"I appreciate Jay's professionalism throughout the process and throughout my two years with him here in Chicago," said Bears general manager Ryan Pace.
"I will always appreciate his toughness and respect his accomplishments on the field with the Bears. He leaves here holding nearly every passing record with this storied franchise and I wish him nothing but the best going forward."
With Cutler's departure confirmed and over $12million saved in cap space, Glennon arrives as a replacement on a three-year deal although the Bears are also expected to explore the possibility of drafting a quarterback in April.
DeShaun Watson, Mitch Trubisky and DeShone Kizer are the headline QB names in this year's draft class but whether Chicago see any as a third-round pick remains to be seen.
