2006
High point: Jay Cutler was named the Broncos’ starting quarterback in Week 13 when coach Mike Shanahan decided he was more capable of leading the team to the Super Bowl than Jake Plummer.
Low point: The Broncos missed the playoffs by losing at home in the season finale to the double-digit-underdog 49ers. Cutler was woozy after a first-half hit, and his play suffered.
You should know: Cutler became the first rookie in NFL history to throw for multiple touchdowns in his first four games.
2007
High point: He completed 20 of 27 passes for 244 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions in a victory over the Chiefs on Dec. 9. His 141.0 passer rating stood as his career high for almost three years.
Low point: Two weeks later, the Broncos clinched their first losing season in eight years with a loss to the Chargers in which Cutler was sacked four times, lost a fumble and threw two interceptions.
You should know: Cutler’s 88.1 passer rating was his best for any full season until his 89.2 mark this year.
2008
High point: Cutler threw for a career-high 447 yards and three fourth-quarter touchdowns in a 34-30 road victory over the Browns on Nov. 6.
Low point: Shanahan was fired after an 8-8 finish and new coach Josh McDaniels arrived with the hope of trading for Matt Cassel, his former pupil with the Patriots. A public spat with Cutler ensued, ending his Broncos tenure.
You should know: Cutler threw for a career-high 4,526 yards in his only Pro Bowl season.
2009
High point: Cutler finished his first season with the Bears by throwing for four touchdowns in each of the last two games. “It just shows that we can play good football,” he said afterward.
Low point: Cutler threw a career-high five interceptions, including one in the end zone on the game’s final play, in a 10-6 road loss to the 49ers that dropped the Bears to 4-5.
You should know: This was the last season in which Cutler played all 16 games.
2010
High point: Cutler threw for two touchdowns and ran for two more in what stands as his only postseason triumph, a 35-24 home victory over a Seahawks team that finished the regular season 7-9.
Low point: Home fans booed an ineffective Cutler in the NFC championship game against the Packers before he left it with a knee injury early in the second half. The image of him on a stationary bike while backups Todd Collins and Caleb Hanie finished the 21-14 defeat endures.
You should know: Cutler vowed to reduce his interceptions that year, and his 23-to-16 touchdowns-to-interceptions ratio is the best of any season in which he played at least 15 games.
2011
High point: Cutler’s 5-yard touchdown pass to Earl Bennett early in the fourth quarter helped the Bears score the last 13 points of a 30-24 road victory over the Eagles on Nov. 7.
Low point: He broke his right thumb on Nov. 20 in a 31-20 victory over the Chargers, the Bears’ fifth-straight triumph. He missed the rest of the season, and the Bears lost their next five to miss the playoffs.
You should know: Cutler’s season completion percentage of 58.0 stands as the worst of his career.
2012
High point: Cutler threw for a season-high three touchdowns to Brandon Marshall, his rookie teammate with the Broncos, in a 51-20 victory over the Titans that improved the Bears to 7-1.
Low point: The following week, he threw two interceptions and was concussed in a home loss to the Texans that began a run of five defeats in six games that cost the Bears a playoff spot.
You should know: He needed only four seasons to become the franchise’s all-time leader in completions.
2013
High point: In his return from a four-game absence because of a sprained left ankle, Cutler recovered from two first-half interceptions to throw for three touchdowns in a 38-31 road victory over the Browns that secured general manager Phil Emery’s decision to re-sign him.
Low point: A quick recovery from a left groin injury was spoiled by a high left ankle sprain Cutler suffered in the first half against the Lions on Nov. 10. Cutler was intercepted in the end zone later on that drive and he couldn’t finish the Bears’ 21-19 loss.
You should know: Cutler became the franchise’s career in passer rating (83.1) and passing yards (14,913).
Better with age?
Jay Cutler’s seven-year extension is scheduled to keep him with the Bears through age 37. So what should we expect from his golden years? Here’s a look at some quarterbacks older than 30:
31: Ben Roethlisberger
Won Super Bowls at 23 and 26 and lost one at 28. This season he threw for 4,261 yards, 28 touchdowns and 14 interceptions without a potent running attack.
32: Philip Rivers
Completed a career-high 69.5 percent of his passes this season under new coach Mike McCoy. Made the playoffs, at 9-7, for the first time since 2009.
33: Eli Manning
Won Super Bowls at 27 and 31 and had Pro Bowl seasons at 27, 30 and 31. This season, though, he led the NFL with 27 interceptions.
33: Tony Romo
The Cowboys have missed the playoffs in each of the four seasons since Romo turned 30. He’s 25-28 as the starter during that span.
34: Drew Brees
One of the league’s most accurate passers has thrown for more than 5,100 yards in each of the last three seasons. Made the Pro Bowl for the sixth straight season.
34: Carson Palmer
Had three straight four-win seasons as a starter beginning with the Bengals at 31 and the Raiders the next two years. Threw for a career-high 4,274 yards but 22 interceptions with the Cardinals this season.
36: Tom Brady
Made the Pro Bowl in every healthy season since turning 30. Won NFL MVP awards at 30 and 33. Threw nine fewer touchdowns and three more interceptions this season than last.
37: Peyton Manning
Colts icon missed the 2011 season with a neck injury but has responded with a pair of All-Pro-caliber seasons with the Broncos. Threw for an NFL-record 5,477 yards and 55 touchdowns this year.
37: Rich Gannon (retired)
Former Raiders quarterback was named NFL MVP in 2002 with Marc Trestman as his offensive coordinator. He set career highs in yards (4,689) and passer rating (97.3) in winning the AFC title.
