Jay Cutler has obvious connection with Jeremy Bates, Jets

The New York Jets hired Jeremy Bates as their quarterbacks coach, and Bates has had success in this league working with Jay Cutler…

Since the New York Jets hired Jeremy Bates as their new quarterbacks coach, everyone and their dog has been predicting an eventual connection with Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler.

Bates was part of the Denver Broncos from 2006-2008, where he served as an offensive assistant, and coached some wide receivers and quarterbacks before ultimately settling in as the full-time quarterbacks coach for his final season with the team.

During that 2008 season, Jay Cutler enjoyed some of the best individual success he has as a player in this league, even though it was just his second full season of starting. After the 2008 season in which Cutler made the Pro Bowl, the Broncos hired Josh McDaniels who eventually traded Cutler and left uncertainty with Bates’ future within the team, so he bolted for USC.

After a year at USC, Bates followed Pete Carroll to the Seattle Seahawks as offensive coordinator. After a couple of seasons in Seattle, Bates would again be reunited with Cutler in 2012 when he became the quarterbacks coach in Chicago.

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Now that Bates is in New York, and there is a clear opening at quarterback there, the idea that he and Cutler could be reunited is obvious and has some merit. The Jets could be looking to get rid of a big salary at quarterback, and Cutler might be willing to sign for a more modest deal than the one he last signed in Chicago after some tumultuous seasons.

There are questions as to whether or not Cutler can co-exist with wide receiver Brandon Marshall, but I expect Marshall to be a cap casualty in New York, so that likely won’t be a problem. The Jets have spoken highly of Christian Hackenberg this offseason already, but that doesn’t mean they wouldn’t be willing to bridge another year or two with Cutler at least competing for a starting gig.

When healthy, Cutler is a good quarterback, but that’s been the issue since he got to Chicago. If he is going to have a revival late in his career, New York could be a nice fit.