Jay Cutler, Ex-NFL quarterback, faces DUI, gun charges in Tennessee

This story has been updated to include new information.

Former Vanderbilt University and NFL quarterback Jay Cutler was arrested Thursday in Franklin on suspicion of driving under the influence.

Cutler, 41, is facing charges of DUI, failure to exercise due care to avoid a collision, implied consent and possession of a handgun while under the influence, according to the Franklin Police Department.

Franklin Police officers were called to the 200 block of Bridge Street after a two-vehicle traffic crash at about 5 p.m., a spokesman for the department said in an email Friday morning. Police believe Cutler, driving a White Dodge Ram pick-up truck, rear-ended a GMC.

The 61-year-old driver of the GMC called 911 to report that the driver of the Dodge, identified as Cutler, was trying to flee the scene after the former quarterback offered the man $2,000 to not call police, according to an arrest affidavit.

The other driver drove himself to the hospital after complaining of back pain.

“During their conversation with Cutler, officers noticed a strong odor of alcohol,” a statement from Franklin Police said. “Cutler was also slurring his words and had blood shot eyes.”

Cutler initially told the officer he hadn’t had any alcohol, but when pressed he admitted “he had a little bit,” the affidavit said. Cutler refused a field sobriety test and was taken to a local hospital so officers could collect blood samples, the statement said.

During a search of Cutler’s car, officers found a rifle in the backseat and a loaded Glock in the center console, the affidavit said.

Cutler was arrested and booked into the Williamson County jail. He was released later Thursday night on a $5,000 bond.

From the archives:Jay Cutler and Kristin Cavallari list their Nashville home for $7.9 million

Cutler attended Vanderbilt from 2001 to 2005 where he redshirted his freshman seasons before starting all 45 games in subsequent years. In 2006, he was the 11th first-round draft pick by the Denver Broncos, where he remained for two seasons. He later went on to play for the Chicago Bears and ended his 12-year-career with the Miami Dolphins.

He retired in 2017 and lived in Middle Tennessee with reality star Kristin Cavallari until their divorce in 2022.