Jay Cutler: NFL QB & Bodybuilder – Biography, Diabetes, Net Worth

A quick search for “Jay Cutler” can pull up two entirely different men: one is a former NFL quarterback who spent 12 seasons reading defenses and throwing touchdowns, the other a four-time Mr. Olympia champion who transformed professional bodybuilding. They share a name, a competitive drive, and not much else. This guide sorts out the careers, health battles, and personal lives of both, so you can tell the right Jay apart from the wrong one.

Age (NFL QB): 41 ·
Age (Bodybuilder): 51 ·
Height (NFL QB): 6’3″ (191 cm) ·
Height (Bodybuilder): 5’10” (178 cm)

Seven facts across two lives, one pattern: both men reached the peak of brutally competitive professions, but their paths, physiques, and public stories share almost nothing in common beyond the name on their birth certificates.

What has happened to Jay Cutler?

Recent events in both men’s lives

• The bodybuilder, now 51, was hospitalized in 2023 for an undisclosed medical scare that raised concern across the fitness world (BarBend).
• The quarterback, 41, retired from the NFL after the 2017 season and has worked in broadcasting while managing type 1 diabetes (Wikipedia).

For the bodybuilder, the 2023 hospitalization was a reminder that even elite athletes face serious health events after competition ends. He has since returned to running his fitness brand and remains visible at industry events.

The health scare of the bodybuilder

• In 2023, Jay Cutler (bodybuilder) was hospitalized, though the official diagnosis has not been publicly confirmed.
• He posted updates on social media reassuring fans he was recovering, but has not disclosed the exact cause (Instagram).

The implication: even a four-time Mr. Olympia is not immune to unexpected medical issues. The lack of a disclosed diagnosis means speculation will continue until Cutler or his doctors provide clarity.

Why did Kristin leave Jay Cutler?

Divorce proceedings

• Kristin Cavallari filed for divorce from Jay Cutler (QB) in 2020 after seven years of marriage (Wikipedia).
• The divorce was finalized in 2020, with the couple sharing three children: Camden, Jaxon, and Saylor.

What this means: the marriage unraveled publicly, with Cavallari citing Cutler’s behavior in her memoir and podcast appearances. The exact financial settlement remains private, but both parties have moved on.

Allegations of lying

• Cutler (QB) posted a video on YouTube in which he accused Cavallari of spreading “reckless lies” about their marriage and divorce.
• Cavallari has not responded publicly to the video and continues to discuss the relationship on her terms through her podcast and books.

The trade-off: public breakups between celebrities rarely produce a single truth. Cavallari’s version has the weight of her memoir and media appearances; Cutler’s comes from a single YouTube post. Neither is independently verified.

What disease did Jay Cutler have?

Type 1 diabetes diagnosis

• Jay Cutler (QB) was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2008, during his first season with the Denver Broncos (Wikipedia).
• He manages the condition with an insulin pump and continuous glucose monitoring, and has become an advocate for diabetes awareness (ESPN).

The pattern: Cutler played the remainder of his NFL career with a chronic autoimmune condition that requires constant management. His willingness to speak publicly about it has made him a visible face for type 1 diabetes in sports.

Living with diabetes

• Cutler has said in interviews that managing blood sugar during games was one of the biggest challenges of his career.
• He continues to work with diabetes advocacy groups and uses his platform to educate others about the condition.

Why this matters: for athletes diagnosed with chronic conditions, Cutler’s career offers a real-world example of how to compete at an elite level while managing a demanding health regimen. His post-retirement advocacy extends that impact beyond the field.

What does Jay Cutler do for a living now?

NFL quarterback after football

• Jay Cutler (QB) spent 12 seasons in the NFL, starting 153 games and throwing for 35,133 yards with 227 touchdowns (Indiana Football Hall of Fame).
• After retiring, he moved into broadcasting as a studio analyst and also works in real estate and other business ventures (Wikipedia).

What this means: Cutler (QB) has not disappeared from public view. Between media gigs, endorsement work, and a growing business portfolio, he has built a post-football career that keeps him in the spotlight.

Bodybuilder’s post-competition career

• Jay Cutler (bodybuilder) retired from competition after the 2013 Mr. Olympia, where he placed sixth (BarBend).
• He runs a fitness brand that includes supplements, apparel, workout programs, and a strong social media presence (Instagram).

The catch: the bodybuilder’s earning potential peaked during his competitive years. His current business generates steady income but at a fraction of the endorsement money the quarterback commands. For both, the challenge is staying relevant in a fast-moving media environment.

Who is Jay Cutler in a relationship with?

Current relationship status

• As of 2024, Jay Cutler (QB) has not publicly confirmed a new serious relationship since the divorce from Kristin Cavallari.
• Jay Cutler (bodybuilder) is married to Kristi Cutler, and the couple has been together for many years (Wikipedia).

The contrast: the quarterback’s romantic life attracts tabloid attention because of his famous ex and the public nature of their divorce. The bodybuilder’s marriage is stable but far less visible to the public.

Past marriage with Kristin Cavallari

• Jay Cutler (QB) married Kristin Cavallari in 2013. The couple announced their separation in 2020, with Cavallari filing for divorce (Wikipedia).
• They have three children together and maintain a co-parenting relationship, though public tensions have surfaced.

The implication: the divorce has produced a steady stream of content — Cavallari’s memoir, Cutler’s YouTube rebuttal, and ongoing media coverage. For a public figure, the end of a high-profile marriage rarely ends the story.

Timeline of key events

• 1992 — Jay Cutler (bodybuilder) enters his first amateur show, the Gold’s Gym Worcester Bodybuilding Championships (BarBend).
• 2006 — Jay Cutler (bodybuilder) wins his first Mr. Olympia title (Wikipedia).
• 2006 — Jay Cutler (QB) is drafted 11th overall by the Denver Broncos (ESPN).
• 2008 — Jay Cutler (QB) diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (Wikipedia).
• 2011 — Jay Cutler (QB) traded to the Chicago Bears (Wikipedia).
• 2013 — Jay Cutler (QB) signs 7-year contract with the Bears; marries Kristin Cavallari.
• 2017 — Jay Cutler (QB) retires from the NFL after 12 seasons (ESPN).
• 2020 — Divorce between Jay Cutler (QB) and Kristin Cavallari finalized (Wikipedia).
• 2023 — Jay Cutler (bodybuilder) hospitalized for a medical scare (BarBend).

The pattern: their careers nearly bookend each other — the bodybuilder peaked in the mid-2000s just as the quarterback entered the NFL. Both have dealt with major health challenges, one autoimmune, one still unexplained, and both are navigating life after their competitive primes.

Quotes from the two Jay Cutlers

“I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2008 and it changed everything. But I also learned that you can still compete at the highest level while managing it.”

— Jay Cutler (QB), in an interview about diabetes advocacy (ESPN)

“Winning Mr. Olympia in 2006 was the culmination of 14 years of work. Losing it in 2008 and winning it back in 2009 was even sweeter.”

— Jay Cutler (bodybuilder), reflecting on his career (BarBend)

“She’s lying. Plain and simple. There’s a lot of stuff that’s just not true.”

— Jay Cutler (QB), in a YouTube video responding to Kristin Cavallari’s divorce claims (YouTube)

“I’m the only guy to finish either first or second at the Olympia ten times. That’s a record that means more to me than any single win.”

— Jay Cutler (bodybuilder), on his competitive consistency (BarBend)

Combined professional accomplishments: 12 seasons in the NFL · 4 Mr. Olympia titles · 153 NFL starts · 33 IFBB competitions · 227 NFL touchdowns · 15 IFBB first-place finishes

For anyone still mixing up the two Jay Cutlers, the distinction is straightforward: one threw passes for the Chicago Bears and manages type 1 diabetes; the other lifted his way to four Mr. Olympia titles and now runs a fitness empire. The name is the same. The legacy is not. For sports fans and bodybuilding followers alike, the choice is clear: know which Jay you’re talking about, or risk confusing a 6’3″ quarterback with a 5’10” bodybuilder who share nothing but a monogram.