Jay Cutler Was 'Slurring His Words' and Had 'Bloodshot Eyes' at Time of DUI Arrest: Police

Mar. 15, 2025

Tennessee police allege former NFL quarterbackJay Cutlerhad “bloodshot eyes” and “a strong odor of alcohol” on him whenhe was arrestedon charges of a DUI and possession of multiple weapons while intoxicated, PEOPLE has learned.

Cutler, 41, was arrested after Franklin Police police say he rear-ended another vehicle in downtown Franklin, Tenn., on Thursday, Oct. 17 shortly after 5 p.m. local time, according to a new press release shared with PEOPLE.

The retired NFL star faces charges of a DUI, illegal possession of a gun while intoxicated, implied consent and failure to exercise due care to avoid a collision, according to police.

He was released on a $5,000 bond Thursday night, PEOPLE confirmed earlier Friday morning.

A Franklin Police Department press release alleges officers who interviewed the former NFL star at the scene of the collision “noticed a strong odor of alcohol” on him.

“Cutler was also slurring his words and had blood shot eyes,” the Franklin Police news release says. “Cutler refused field sobriety tests and was taken to a local hospital where a blood sample was obtained through a blood search warrant.”

Jay Cutler.Franklin Police Department

Franklin Police Department

Franklin Police officers then found “two firearms in his vehicle, including a loaded pistol,” the department alleges.

The police department categorized the rear-end crash as “a minor traffic collision,” and authorities made no mention of injuries due to the crash.

Jay Cutler.Tiffany Sage/BFA.com/Shutterstock

Tiffany Sage/BFA.com/Shutterstock

The retired quarterback was drafted to the NFL in 2006 and played 12 seasons in the league with the Chicago Bears, the Miami Dolphins and the Denver Broncos.

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Kristin Cavallari and Jay Cutler.Todd Williamson/Getty

The couple, who share three children together — sonsCamden, 11, Jaxon, 9, and daughter Saylor, 8 — filed for divorce in 2020, citing “irreconcilable differences" and “inappropriate marital conduct” as reasons for their breakup.

In their divorce filing, Cavallari claimed Cutler was “guilty of such inappropriate marital conduct as renders further cohabitation unsafe and improper” and said “any misconduct alleged or implied against her” in Cutler’s divorce petition “was in response to and/or as a result of misconduct on [Cutler’s] behalf.”

Cavallari, who starred onLaguna Beach, said on herLet’s Be Honestpodcastearlier this monththat her custody arrangement with Cutler had recently changed.

“When I was dating last fall, I was still doing split custody with my ex and I had every other week off from my kids and that’s changed,” Cavallari said, though she did not clarify the changes to their agreement.

source: people.com