Jay Cutler Arrested on Charges of DUI and Possession of a Handgun While Intoxicated

Mar. 15, 2025

Former NFL quarterbackJay Cutlerwas arrested in downtown Franklin, Tenn., on Thursday night and faces charges of a DUI and illegal possession of a gun, as well as two other charges, after police say he rear-ended another vehicle, PEOPLE confirms.

Cutler, 41, was arrested and later released on bond Thursday night, a spokesperson with the Franklin Police Department tells PEOPLE.

The former NFL star faces charges of DUI (first offense), possession of a handgun while under the influence, implied consent and failure to exercise due care to avoid a collision, the Franklin Police official says.

In a press release shared later Friday morning, the Franklin Police Department says officers responded to a “minor traffic collision in downtown Franklin” shortly after 5 p.m. local time on Thursday evening.

The department says evidence at the scene suggested that Cutler “rear-ended another vehicle” and officers speaking with the former NFL star at the scene “noticed a strong odor of alcohol” on him.

Jay Cutler.Franklin Police Department

Franklin Police Department

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

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

Cutler was released on a $5,000 bond Thursday night.

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.

Jay Cutler in 2019.Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty

Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty

The couple, who first met in 2010 before getting engaged a year later,divorcedin 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.”

Jay Cutler.AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File

AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File

Cavallari, who starred onLaguna Beach, then began dating 24-year-old TikToker,Mark Estesbefore breaking the relationship off earlier this year.

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Earlier this month,Cavallari said her custody arrangementwith Cutler had 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,” she said during an episode of her podcastLet’s Be Honest, though she did not clarify the changes to their agreement.

source: people.com