Nonetheless, the discussion we were having was about whether Cutler is currently overpaid, and I think the answer is clearly no. He's playing like an average starting quarterback and getting paid like an average starting quarterback. Average starting quarterbacks make a lot of money.
I can't believe we've reached the point where the Cutler contract is ok with fans because Cutler has continued to suck/be average for coming up on half a decade and the rest of the NFL has improved and started handing out more money to younger QB's with more potential.
What you are saying it's really true though. It's one thing to say "average QB's get paid that much" but the QB's getting paid that much were signed based on either past performance and or potential. Cutler got paid based on neither really as a 31 year old.
It's one thing for a 26 year old developing QB to under perform a big contract. It's another for a 31 year old with almost zero potential or performance to get that money.
You're judging Cutler on the same career/contract arc as guys like Stafford, Osweiler, Tannehill etc. That's kind of football stupid.
If the Jets handed Fitzpatrick 18 million a year tomorrow and excused it by citing guys like Stafford, Osweiler, Tannehill etc and their salaries I doubt this board would buy it for the reasons I cited above.