Broncos Coach Commited to Cutler

March 24, 2009

While new Broncos’ coach Josh McDaniels says that nothing is being ruled out and that any trade is possible he says that he is commited to Jay Cutler as the team’s starting quarterback.

Coach Josh McDaniels spoke with the media for the first time Tuesday since the rift between the new Broncos coach and the Pro Bowl quarterback became public. He reiterated that Cutler is his quarterback and he’ll do what he can to improve the relationship.

The Broncos had shown a lot of interest in former New England’s quarterback Matt Casell and it was widely reported that the Denver Broncos were trying to make a deal involving trading their current quarterback. Matt Cassel ended up being traded by New England to Kansas City, and Cutler asked to be traded.

“I’ve always been optimistic,” McDaniels said at the NFL meetings. “He’s on our team, he’s under contract, and I understand there’s things we have to work toward in our relationship.

“I’ve heard (Cutler’s trade request), but have not heard it from him personally. No one has contacted me, called me, text-messaged or e-mailed me.”

Cutler is halfway through the six-year, $48 million contract he signed as the 11th overall pick out of Vanderbilt in the 2006 draft. He’s 17-20 as Broncos starter, although that’s misleading because of Denver’s dismal defense. He’s 13-1 in games in which Denver held its opponents under 21 points.

He was upset when Mike Shanahan was fired as coach, and even requested that members of Shanahan’s offensive staff be retained, which didn’t happen.

“It’s not an ideal situation, obviously,” McDaniels said. “We want him to be here, but it has to be two ways. It’s a challenge for him. I understand the position he is in and I respect that.”

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