Rehab isn't helping, so Bears' Jay Cutler to have season-ending surgery

The 2-9 Chicago Bears will be finishing out their season with their third-string quarterback under center.

On Thursday, Bears coach John Fox told reporters that veteran QB Jay Cutler’s rehabilitation efforts have not been effective, and that he will undergo surgery to repair his damaged labrum in his throwing shoulder.

“He exhausted his options,” Chicago offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains told reporters.

Cutler will be placed on season-ending injured reserve, ending his season and possibly his time with the Bears.

He started only five games this season.

Cutler left the Bears’ game against the Eagles in Week 2 with a thumb injury and missed over a month. He returned against the Minnesota Vikings on Oct. 31.

Now 33 years old, Cutler signed a seven-year, $126.7 million contract with $54 million guaranteed in 2014 but with that guaranteed money no longer counting against the cap beyond this year, cutting Cutler in 2017 would cost Chicago just $2 million against the cap in dead money. For their investment, the Bears got a 51-51 record in Cutler’s starts with the team and one playoff appearance.