Jay Cutler leads off-season QB exiles, but likely to fight off Cleveland Browns

If the Chicago Bears can find a trade partner, quarterback Jay Cutler will be relocating this offseason.

Cutler, 33, has a $17 million cap number and four years remaining on a deal he signed during Phil Emery's tenure as general manager.

Current coach John Fox and GM Ryan Pace afforded Cutler the chance to nail down the job in 2015 and 2016, but the Bears missed the playoffs each year.

With no guaranteed money remaining in the deal, Cutler's approval could be part of trade talks. The Jets, 49ers, Texans and Broncos -- Cutler's original team -- are considered to be teams probable to chase a veteran quarterback.

Tony Romo (Dallas Cowboys) and Tyrod Taylor (Buffalo Bills) could also be traded or released.

The Texans signed Brock Osweiler to a four-year, $73 million contract in March 2016 but owner Bob McNair said during interviews at Super Bowl LI in Houston that the franchise was still looking for the right quarterback.

Denver tried Trevor Siemian to start the season after Osweiler left and Peyton Manning retired, but injuries derailed Siemian's steady play and rookie Paxton Lynch wasn't ready to take over.

A coaching change could complicate things in Denver.

The same is true of the 49ers. Kyle Shanahan vowed patience in finding a franchise quarterback and San Francisco has the No. 2 overall pick. A deal for Cutler, especially paired with a young developmental player at the position, might help the 49ers get closer to contending.

Cutler is unlikely to sign off on a deal to Cleveland, where the Browns have used 28 different starting quarterbacks since 1999 and also own two picks in the first round.