Chicago Bears general manager Phil Emery has hinted that his side may not use the franchise tag to keep quarterback Jay Cutler at the club on a one-year contract.

Cutler has endured an injury-hit season for the Bears and has missed their last three games with an ankle injury, which could prove costly to the 30-year-old as he is in the final year of his deal with the club.

Emery told the club's official website: "The franchise tag for the quarterback position has unique challenges because the average comes out to be such a big portion of your cap and your total money available to spend on other players to acquire to help your team.

"With the franchise tag being so high for the quarterback position, to use it and not sign the individual to a long-term deal hurts the team because you lose the ability to prorate the amount of guaranteed salary over the length of the contract."

Josh McCown has taken over for Cutler in his absence and has led them to a 1-2 record, leaving the Bears at 6-6 in their season.