Jay Cutler, New York Jets Rumored to Have 'Mutual Interest'

The New York Jets and free-agent quarterback Jay Cutler have some mutual interest, but it's unknown whether the AFC East club will make a serious push to sign the veteran following his release from the Chicago Bears.

Kevin Patra of NFL.com passed along details from NFL Network's Ian Rapoport about the potential for Cutler to join the Jets:

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The Jets do have some interest in Jay Cutler. And I'm told he has interest in them as well. At this point it's really a matter of fit. There are a couple questions the Jets have to ask themselves: Is Jay Cutler the kind of quarterback that you want in your quarterback room? They have a couple young guys who they'd like to bring along—Christian Hackenberg and Bryce Petty. Jay Cutler does not always have the greatest reputation for dealing with teammates, whether or not that is reality we're not exactly sure.

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Chris Mortensen of ESPN reported Thursday that New York views the 33-year-old QB as a fallback option if it isn't able to acquire Trevor Siemian in a trade with the Denver Broncos.

Cutler is one of the league's most enigmatic players. While there have been moments throughout his 11-year career where he's looked like a legitimate franchise quarterback, his questionable decision-making ability and the character concerns Rapoport referenced are issues.

The Vanderbilt product tossed 49 touchdowns in 30 games across the 2014 and 2015 seasons with the Bears. He also posted a career-high 92.3 passer rating in 2015.

The 2008 Pro Bowl selection was awful across five appearances last year, though. He tallied four touchdowns and five interceptions. He also missed time with a thumb injury, and then his season came to a premature end due to shoulder surgery.

Yet, he's still one of the better options available this offseason in a weak quarterback market.

Along with the Jets, the Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans could also seek an upgrade at the position. The same could be said for the Denver Broncos, which is where Cutler started his career, but a reunion there feels like a long shot.

He might ultimately be forced into a situation where he needs to win the starting job during training camp and the preseason. But he'd be the favorite in New York, where neither Bryce Petty nor Christian Hackenberg are likely to become the long-term answer for the Jets.