The Chicago Bears are punting the 2014 season. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that quarterback Jay Cutler has been benched and Jimmy Clausen will get the start against the Green Bay Packers in Week 16.
Jay Cutler benched for Jimmy Clausen, can be dropped from fantasy leagues
The Bears have officially thrown in the towel on 2014. We break down the fantasy implications.
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Cutler got yanked after another turnover-filled performance in Week 15. He threw three interceptions and recorded just 194 passing yards in Monday's blowout loss to the New Orleans Saints. Mere months after signing a seven-year extension with $54 million guaranteed money, Cutler appears to be on the way out of Chicago along with head coach Marc Trestman. He closes the book on 2014 with 3,640 passing yards, 28 touchdowns and 18 interceptions.
Fantasy impact: Welp, it’s time for re-draft owners to cut bait. Despite his turnover issues, Cutler was still a useful QB2 thanks to garbage time stats, so his absence will be felt in fantasy championship week. Despite his huge contract, he has probably played his last snap in a Bears uniform.
Clausen hasn't started a game since 2010 and is not on the radar even in two-quarterback leagues. This is obviously a downgrade for the fantasy prospects of Alshon Jeffery and Marquess Wilson, although Matt Forte should be fine as a safety blanket out of the backfield.
