CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 4: Tony Romo #9 of the Dallas Cowboys meets with Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears after the game at Soldier Field on December 4, 2014 in Chicago, Illinios. The Cowboys defeated the Bears 41-28. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Chicago Bears reportedly prepared to land Jay Cutler's successor

He'll likely replace Jay Cutler, whose eight-year career in Chicago has been an up-and-down tenure.

NFL free agency will officially open on March 9, but the tampering period, allowing teams to negotiate contracts ahead of that time opens at noon on Tuesday.

At that time, the Chicago Bears are reportedly expected to make a "major push" for free agent quarterback Mike Glennon:

Glennon is expected to land a contract in the neighborhood of $14-15 million.

Chicago holds the No. 3 overall pick in the draft, but opting to ink the former third-round pick as the franchise quarterback would free up the Bears to land a skill player.

In three years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Glennon has started 18 games, putting together a 5-13 record. He's thrown for more than 4,000 yards for 30 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.

He'll likely replace Jay Cutler, whose eight-year career in Chicago has been an up-and-down tenure which saw the Bears win more than seven games just twice.

Cutler figures to be behind Tony Romo and Tyrod Taylor on the wishlists of teams in need of a veteran quarterback.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that if Cutler doesn't land in the right situation, he might consider an early retirement.

"He's one of several veterans who are still considering whether they want to play, whether they want to not play, retire, walk away," Rapoport said. "A lot of things in play here for Jay Cutler."

It's more likely that Cutler is released than traded, and there are several quarterback-needy teams who could take a chance on the 33-year-old QB.