NFL Rumors: Latest QB Trade Buzz Heading into Free Agency

The NFL free-agency period begins at 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, and while many teams will be trying to bring in key free agents, others might be trying to trade away their current quarterbacks.

There are a number of reasons a team could want to change who is under center. Some quarterbacks might be making too much money, and it would be too expensive to release them. Other quarterbacks might be much more valuable to other teams, making it too hard for their current teams to pass up on potential trade offers.

Having said there, here are a couple of the latest rumors regarding quarterbacks on the trade block heading into free agency.

Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears

Brian Kersey/Getty Images

The relationship between the Chicago Bears and quarterback Jay Cutler has been strained after a less-than-stellar 2014 season. And now, with Ryan Pace as general manager and John Fox as head coach, it's even less certain that Cutler will return as the team's starting quarterback for 2015.

According to Dan Bernstein from CBS Chicago, the Bears are actively shopping Cutler and looking to get something reasonable in return.

The numbers for Cutler last season weren't terrible, completing 66 percent of his passes with 28 touchdowns and 18 interceptions. However, consider the 31-year-old counted for $18.5 million against the cap last year and is still set to make another $108.2 million through 2020.

With that kind of contract, it's hard to be happy with decent statistics and a 5-11 record last season.

It doesn't seem likely that the trade rumors will go away any time soon, either. It doesn't help that Fox continues to not commit on Cutler, according to Tyler Dunne from the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, saying:

"

I don't think there's any question there's ability and talent there. But there's a lot more that goes into it and we're evaluating that as we speak. Everybody has perceptions. But I think getting to know the guy, this is a relationship business. It takes time. I don't want to stand up here and give you a final evaluation.

"

Convincing another team to take on that contract is hard enough, but it's even harder to also get them to give up potential draft picks or other players. However, there's a reason teams place so much value on quarterbacks, and a team like the St. Louis Rams or Tennessee Titans desperately needs a star at the position.

Nothing has happened yet, but don't be surprised if Cutler plays somewhere besides Chicago before next season begins.

Nick Foles, Philadelphia Eagles

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Chip Kelly and the Philadelphia Eagles haven't been afraid of making bold moves this offseason. They traded running back LeSean McCoy to the Buffalo Bills, and Mark Sanchez is returning on a two-year deal.

Now, the future of Nick Foles is apparently up in the air, and it has been for a few weeks.

Eliot Shorr-Parks from NJ.com reported on Monday that the Eagles had made inquiries with other teams about the possibility of trading Foles while scouting prospects at the Senior Bowl. Some of the teams that were reportedly interested were the Titans, Houston Texans and Rams.

After only throwing two interceptions in 2013, Foles struggled quite a bit last season, completing just 59.8 percent of his passes for 2,163 yards, 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. A broken collarbone forced Foles to miss half of the season, giving Sanchez the chance to prove himself.

While Sanchez might not have had the best numbers, ESPN Stats & Info points out that the Eagles were a much more efficient offense on the field with him compared to Foles.

At this point, the trade value for Foles is about as high as it's going to be. His impressive 2013 season is still fresh in the minds of teams around the league, and they might be willing to forget about what happened last year because of the injuries.

Note: All contract information provided by Spotrac