Ex-NFL Star To Serve Jail Time After DUI Arrest

Former NFL star quarterback Jay Cutler accepted a plea deal on Tuesday after being arrested for DUI last fall.

Cutler, 42,  pleaded guilty to one charge of driving under the influence in a Tennessee courtroom, according to local outlet WSMV. Under the terms of the plea deal, prosecutors will dismiss a weapon possession charge on the condition that he surrenders his firearm.

Cutler must also spend four days in jail, which he will serve next month. He also agreed to pay a $350 fine.

The former NFL star was arrested last October for allegedly hitting the back of another vehicle in Franklin, Tennessee. Responding officers indicated that he was slurring his words and ultimately refused to consent to any field sobriety tests.

A blood sample was later obtained at a local hospital under a warrant. Officers also recovered a rifle, as well as a loaded pistol in the center console of Cutler’s truck.

He was initially charged with DUI, failure to exercise due care to avoid a collision, implied consent and possession of a handgun while under the influence. All charges aside from the DUI will be dismissed under the terms of the plea agreement.

In addition, Cutler must attend a DUI safety class and will be on unsupervised probation for one year after he completes the four-day jail sentence. His driver’s license has also been revoked.

Cutler during his time with the Chicago Bears (left) and following his 2024 DUI arrest (right)

Cutler entered the NFL with much fanfare after he was selected by the Denver Broncos with the 11th overall pick in the 2006 NFL draft. Prior to entering pro football, he played college ball for the Vanderbilt Commodores.

He played 37 games for Denver between 2006 and 2008 before moving to the Chicago Bears, where he spent the majority of his NFL career. He threw for 23,443 yards and 154 touchdowns over 102 regular-season games in the Windy City.

His team only reached the playoffs once, in 2010, during Cutler’s time under center.

Cutler played his final NFL season in 2017 with the Miami Dolphins before retiring with 35,133 passing yards and 160 touchdowns over 153 games.