Former NFL quarterback Jay Cutler has taken a plea deal following his DUI arrest last fall. In a Tennessee court, he pleaded guilty to driving under the influence. Interestingly, while he has to forfeit a gun, the deal allows him to avoid a charge for possessing that weapon.
As part of the terms, Cutler is required to serve four days in jail, undergo DUI safety classes, and pay a fine of $350. His driver’s license is also being revoked.
Cutler’s legal troubles began last October when he was involved in an accident in Franklin, Tennessee, where he reportedly hit another vehicle. Officers noted slurred speech and he declined to take a sobriety test, leading to blood samples being collected at a hospital under a warrant. A loaded pistol and a rifle were discovered in his truck’s center console.
Initially, Cutler faced multiple charges, including DUI and possession of a handgun while impaired. However, most of these, aside from the DUI, were dropped through plea negotiations.
Once he completes his jail time, Cutler will be on unsupervised probation for a year.
Drafted by the Denver Broncos as the 11th overall pick in 2006, Cutler played three seasons there before joining the Chicago Bears, where he spent the majority of his career. Over his time in the NFL, he threw for 23,443 yards and 154 touchdowns, leading the Bears to one playoff appearance in 2010.
His final career totals stand at 35,133 passing yards and 160 touchdowns across 153 games, finishing up with the Miami Dolphins in 2017.
