Predictably, given the tenor of the commentary on NFL Network’s broadcast and the NFL.com report by the channel’s Adam Schefter about the Broncos’ quarterback position, backup passer Jay Cutler was besieged by the press as he silently dressed at his locker-room stall following Thursday night’s 19-10 loss to the Chiefs.

Here’s what the rookie had to say:

• ON THE SITUATION AT HAND: “It’s been tough, but I’m here to support the team. I’m going to support Jake as long as he’s the starting quarterback — and he still is. So we’ve just got to get back to work.”
• ON WHETHER PART OF HIM IS ITCHING FOR A CHANCE TO PLAY: “I think everyone in here wants a chance to go out there and show what they can do, but right now, it’s not my time. I’m just watching and learning and going about it like that.”
• WOULD A NINE-DAY BREAK BETWEEN GAMES HELP IF YOU BECAME STARTER: “I guess. I think it could help Jake, it could help any quarterback, as well. But I don’t know. It’s not up to me.”
• WAS THERE ANY DISCUSSION ABOUT PUTTING YOU IN THE GAME? “No.”
• ON HOW THE RUMORS AFFECTED PLUMMER: “Jake’s tough. He’s been through this before. He’s dealt with adversity. He’s played really well at times and he’s struggled at times. It’s just a roller-coaster ride. I don’t think what happens outside the locker room really affects him.”
• ON WHETHER HE’D BE READY IF ASKED TO PLAY: “Yeah. I think I can go out there and play and be efficient with this offense.”
• ON THE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN HIMSELF AND PLUMMER: “It’s been great. Jake’s been a professional about the whole thing, as I have, and we’re friends off the field. There’s been no bad blood there at all.”
• WITH THE LOSS, THE MEDIA AROUND, IS THIS AN UNCOMFORTABLE SITUATION? “No. It’s going to happen. Wherever there’s a quarterback controversy — whether it’s true or not — the media’s going to come at it, so I’ve just got to deal with it and move on.”
• ON WHETHER HE FEELS HE WILL BE RUSTY IF HE PLAYS: “Yeah, you might be right. I don’t get a lot of reps during practice and I haven’t played since preseason, so if I do get in there, I’ll have to knock the rust off, but it’ll slow down as the game goes on.”

Tags: Jay Cutler, Kansas City Chiefs, Quarterbacks

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