Associated Press

Jay Cutler’s season is over and his time in Chicago might be, too.

Coach John Fox announced Thursday that the veteran quarterback will have season-ending surgery on his right shoulder, the latest blow in a lost year for the Bears.

The operation to repair the labrum will take place on Saturday.

“I talked to him earlier today. He’s in good spirits,” Fox said. “It wasn’t like it was never going to be an option. You try to avoid it, especially for a quarterback on your throwing shoulder. But he talked to many capable doctors, like he should. So that’s been the determination at this point.”

Matt Barkley figures to start his second straight game when the Bears (2-9) host San Francisco (1-10) in a matchup between struggling teams on Sunday.

Cutler injured his shoulder during a loss to the New York Giants on Nov. 20 but finished the game. Fox initially insisted the injury was not season-ending. But after working through treatment options, Cutler won’t play again this season. If he has thrown his last pass for Chicago, Fox was not about to confirm it.

“You know, offseason is the offseason,” Fox said. “We’re not there yet.”

Offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains had strong praise for Cutler.

“I just know my relationship with him and I know how the QB room feels about him and his teammates voted him a captain for a reason,” he said.

“I know how much Matt Barkley appreciates the input. I know how much Brian Hoyer appreciates his input as well. And I know how much I appreciate the things he’s done to this point.”

Loggains mentioned Cutler’s toughness and “how much the team means to him.”

“That’s been incredible to watch,” he said.

“There’s a perception and there’s a reality of that. Just, it’s been really fun the last two years getting to coach him and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.”

Cutler no longer has a high salary-cap figure, so it becomes more likely he could be traded or cut in the offseason. The problem for the Bears is they have no obvious replacement on the roster. Chicago has not drafted a quarterback in Ryan Pace’s two years as general manager.

If they part with Cutler and don’t trade for a quarterback, they could try to go with Hoyer as a stopgap or with Barkley.