The Broncos and quarterback Jay Cutler could never get on the same page. Now, after the blockbuster trade that occurred on Friday, April 3, Cutler is in Chicago and the Broncos are moving on with quarterback Kyle Orton, an extra first-round and third-round draft pick this year and another first-rounder in 2010.
There has been much speculation about who said what to whom and when. Broncos Head Coach Josh McDaniels spoke with Dave Logan and Lois Melkonian on 850 KOA’s “The Ride Home” on the day the Broncos made the trade. I wanted to share some of the questions and responses because they hit on many of the key issues in this whole saga. Part one of that interview follows.
850 KOA attempted to speak with Jay Cutler, but text messages went without response on two occasions, once before the trade and once immediately after the deal.
KOA: After you took the job, when the initial trade possibility was discussed with whomever, with Jay Cutler as a possibility, did you and the Broncos initiate that trade conversation or did other teams?
JM: We never initiated any conversations. We were busy preparing for free agency. That was where our focus was. We never had any desire and we had no plan to do anything like that (trading Cutler). The day or two before free agency opened, people started to call and initiate some conversation about entertaining a possibility of a three-way trade. We had conversations. Some were very short and there were a couple of other conversations that we actually took part in. That’s what happened. Things started happening faster on the other end (but) nothing ever came to the point where we were considering an opportunity or anything. Then the deal was done on the other side (Cassell traded to the Chiefs). We called Jay and (his agent) Bus (Cook) and let them know what happened. The communication from that point forward started to go the other way.
KOA: Would it be curious that other NFL teams would call the Broncos and ask, “We’re thinking about the possibility of maybe trying to put a package together for a guy like Jay Cutler?” With some of the other teams that have a top quarterback, do conversations like that take place a lot?
JM: I’m not sure. I would say this was a little bit of a different situation based on my history and where I’d come from. I think the entire line of speaking between some other team and our organization was based on the fact that they knew Matt Cassell had played for me in New England. I think that was the only reason that conversations took place and I think that was the only reason they felt like they might have a chance to broker some kind of a deal. But again, nothing ever got even close (to getting done) but they wanted to call and I think that’s exactly why.
KOA: At any point during this standoff, did you think about forcing the issue and making him (Cutler) sit down and talk with you?
JM: We had a conversation on the phone and he (Cutler) wouldn’t do anything without Bus Cook. We requested numerous times to have an opportunity to sit down and speak to Jay and discuss everything, whatever he wanted to talk about and some of the things we wanted to talk about. It never got to the point where they would allow the communication to go any further. It broke down to the point where (in) the last weeks he just refused to respond to anything, including (Broncos’ owner) Pat Bowlen. When you go to that length to show your displeasure, I think you’re really sending a clear message to the organization that you don’t want to play there any more.
KOA: (In) your last conversation with Jay Cutler, Bus Cook was there and (so was) Brian Xanders of the Broncos, in the sit down meeting. Did the Matt Cassell situation come up in that conversation in that room and is there a possibility Jay Cutler left that meeting (believing) that you, if given an opportunity, might still consummate a trade for Matt Cassell?
JM: There’s no way he could have left the room thinking that. We discussed what had happened. We discussed how to go forward from there. He understood exactly what had happened that couple days. He agreed and understood why there may have been some kind of connection with some other team trying to broker a three-way trade. He understood that completely. Then the meeting ended. The tone of the conversation while we were in the meeting was totally different that what it was represented afterwards.
KOA: So you left the meeting thinking this is going to work and this is going to be my quarterback?
JM: I was waiting for a phone call later that afternoon and that was clearly stated and communicated and obviously not executed.
KOA: When you took the Broncos job, when you sat down and talked with Pat Bowlen, did Pat ask you your opinion on what you thought of Jay Cutler and what direction you were going in with respect to the offense?
JM: A lot of things came up when we had discussions before I was hired and Jay was part of those discussions. But Jay Cutler was a big reason why this position was very attractive to me. As a person who has worked on the offensive side of the ball the last five years, coming to a place with a quarterback like Jay Cutler was exciting. That’s why I go back to the fact that we never initiated or we would never have any reason to initiate it (the original trade talks) because we felt comfortable with that. Pat knew what direction we were going to go. We were going to bring our system here and implement it. We have players here that can fit in comparably to the players that I’ve worked with in the past and I’m excited to work with that entire group. The conversations were all positive about that stuff and we were looking forward to doing that.
Later this week, we’ll share more from Coach McDaniels’ interview with 850 KOA.
Thanks for reading,
Mike
I was at the SD game when that 2 point conversion happened. I almost crapped my pants. my reaction was. MIKE ARE YOU CRAZY! but when it worked, i did the mc hammer crab dance and hi 5′d everyone. It was great. I will say it again cutler to royal! I loved it. And Ioved cutler on the team, but i questioned some of his decisions. This was one of them. It wasn’t all his fault, but he played a part in it.
Did you guys notice we aren’t talking about dawkins and the Def backs we allready have, and that’s what we suppost to talk because they’re in the team now.
What you guys think about our secundary ????????????
Yeah, really tough to blame Jay for the Hillis injury, he was just trying to make a play and Hillis landed funny. Stuff happens out there ya know?
The TD to Royal and the 2 pt is one of my all time favorite memories of Cutler. the botched call was negated IMHO by the great play of Cutler at the end.
The guy has so much raw talent it really is amazing. Cleveland and Atlanta were just great games no doubt. It’s just too bad he couldn’t have been a little more humble with it and been coachable, like Barry Sanders. Amazing talent AND an amazing person too.
The Cutler interview I saw at the end of the season really took me back with his flippant attitude and arrogance. I didn’t really like him after seeing it.
Hey, I wish Jay the best and hopefully he will flourish in Chicago and mature while he’s there. I’m just glad now that he’s gone and with the way he left. Orton and Simms both are great leaders and they both have potential to flourish in McD’s QB friendly system. It’s exciting to think about.
Yeah, I say wait on a QB this year, draft D, and go for Bradford or Tebow next year. And with 2 #1’s, McD can probably get whoever he wants especially if Orton has a breakout year and they package him in the deal too. It could be very exciting indeed!
Jon Gruden says Tebow could revolutionize the game. Now THAT’S a big time compliment.
As much as i hate saying this, i think we can replace Cutler. If Orton has a decent year, then maybe we have a chance. If not, then i think next year, we should draft Gram Harrell from Texas Tech. The kid has a cannon like Jay, and if the raging reviews that McDaniels can develop a QB, then maybe he could develop Gram into “The Guy”. That would be the only chance id give McDaniels. Ive already written him off, but if he can show me something, then id give him a second look.
Good luck Jay. Sorry it had to be this way.
cutler#1 to answer your question about the secondary, I like the veterans we have back there. We still need a hybrid CB/Safety, just incase someone is injured and it wouldn’t hurt to have one for the Nickel formation. Something else to consider is 3-4 and 3-4 eagle, if the Broncos decide to switch it up a bit which they likely will we need a LB(Jarvis Moss or even Reid) that can step up where the NT would of been and plug of the gap. Still have LB blitz to the outside for runs to the outside. Still would have two LB covering the HB and FB incase of the pass or up the middle. Man to Man coverage with the Safties in zone coverage.
yeah, blaming that injury on cutler is rough, and he was just trying to make a play, but I guess i have a hard time showing cutler any mercy at this point. If he was a humble quarterback who took responsibility for the stuff that he does do wrong, i would never bring stupid things up like this. I tend to be hard on the players who are cocky.
I agree, i think we can replace Cutler, i know he was a great talent, i know he was an amazing player, but we don’t need players who don’t want to be here. this is very exciting to have a quaterback compotition, don’t u guys think???
bleed orange and blue
This is a quarterback league but quarterbacks play better when solid talent is around them. Vinny Testaverde is an example of this. Because the Buccaneers sucked in those days, Vinny never excelled in Tampa, but in Cleveland, Baltimore and with the Jets, he did much better. Let’s give Orton a chance here. All will be well. GO BRONCOS!!!
I think there is still qb up mcd sleeve. they say there is a deal for quinn and it might happen by the draft. mcd is in a bind and he knows he needs to win this year because of the cutler issue. and i dont know if orton can handle it. he is a good back up qb though and i dont think he can wait he has to prove himself now. and i am tired of all the broadcasters talking about how good jay will do in chicago, jay did good with shanny and the offense that the BRONCOS have chicago doesnt have either, their d is not the same and jay will have to go up a descent division with pressure on him. jay didnt want to be a bronco because of $ and started to act like a baby. when shanny was gone we knew the team was going to change maybe just not in this way. I think mcd can change this team around and i beleive well do better than the bears. Jay didnt care about the fans or the rest of his team mates didnt even make a statement while all this went down. so we shouldnt whish him luck and hope he sucks. he is now a competitor and wishing him well is like say good luck to the raiders and we all know that is not going to happen . Go DENVER BRONCOS.
First, I absdolutely love the trade. I said to myself, “Wow! Steve Tensi in reverse!” If you’re a younger fan, ask around. The worst trade the Broncos ever made, two 1st and a future HOF for a QB that never had a chance because his offensive line sucked. Sort of like the Bears O line.
Second, very unhappy that Jeff Garcia signed with the Rasiders. I hope the Broncos play the Raiders early as Couch will soon officially pronounce Russell a bust and start Garcia. The Raiders will be significantly better with his as starting QB.
i don’t like very much the Quinn trade idea cuz it will cost us draft picks and cuz Quinn has’nt prove anything . I’m confortable whith Orton and Simms fighting for the job this year and drafting a QB in the later rounds then groom him in the bench for 1 , 2 or even 3 years . Nowodays QB are thrown too early in the game .Take a look at Rodgers in GB : had he been thrown from year one , maybe he’d be out of the NFL now ! Take a look at Smith in SF : he lost his job and he’s not about to take it back .Too early thrown in .
Mike, always have enjoyed the light you bring to situation. I believe I know who has been at fault for this one. He and his agent got what they wanted. It became clear to me that when it was aired that Jay had left his Nashville home he was probably leaving town so no one could make contact with him like his coach and team owner. Well thats over and done with.
Now, what to do with the picks. I think they go defense this year and not grab a QB unless its a way later round pick. You go QB next year when there is a larger group to pick from. I was wanting to know how you rate Mark Sanchez with Graham Harrell, Sam Bradford, Colt McCoy, Chase Daniel and Tim Tebow. Is Sanchez that good of a QB to grab now and not wait til next year?
Thanks again Mike
broncosfrance - I agree with you because of the picks and not because Quinn hasn’t proven anything. I like everything I see about him on and off the field and McD knows QB’s, and he knows what type will fit his system.
I also think NFL QB’s can do fine their first year if with the right coach and in the right system. Look at Ryan and Flacco last year and Manning a few years ago. I think Cleveland should have started Quinn right away and he would be something now.
So drafting D this year and then going for a QB next year seems like the way to go. It will be fun to see what they do.
I must admit that I am looking forward to the start of the season, this will be a completely new team and if nothing else it will be VERY interesting to see how this all plays out. It has been many years in the “rebuilding” phase and I would sure like to see a stable roster and a winning team would be great.
It all depends on the draft.
I don’t think we will only target defense is the early rounds. My read on McD is he will pick impact players (best player on the board). If it happens to be a QB then he will take him.
We shouldn’t pick a D lineman just because it is our turn and someone is there who plays the position. We might pass on a really good player if we do.
myleshigh…thanks for your kind words. I appreciate them. I must say that I am just not very good at projecting how a player might be at the next level. But here goes.
Of course, Sam Bradford (Oklahoma), Tim Tebow (Florida) and Colt McCoy (Texas) have already said they will return to college so they won’t be available in this year’s draft. Depending what happens this year, the Broncos might have an interest in one of them next year. A team with multiple first round picks has a lot of flexibility.
There is considerable buzz around Mark Sanchez (USC) right now. The prevailing opinion seems to be he has everything except a really strong arm. But not every quarterback has a cannon for an arm.
Sanchez seems to have great talent and strong leadership skills. Personally, I’d be a little surprised if the Broncos took him, even if he were available when the Broncos pick at number 12 (assuming the Broncos don’t trade out of that slot).
The word on Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford has also been really good. He wowed scouts who attended his pro day a few weeks back and there is still some talk that the Lions might select him with the number one overall pick.
Chase Daniel is an interesting one. He was very good at Missouri but to this point he has not been in the discussion when it comes to who might make a great pro. He seems to be rated in the top half of the draft-eligible quarterbacks but not in the elite category and Daniels will probably go in the later rounds. He is mobile and made plays for the Tigers.
Also, Graham Harrell of Texas Tech is kind of in the same boat but seems to be ranked a bit higher than Daniels. Harrell put up huge numbers in college but there is some doubt as to whether that will translate well to the NFL.
Also, Kansas State’s Josh Freeman has been garnering more attention as of late. He is not the pure passer one thinks of when thinking about the quarterback position but can run and make plays.
I have no idea which direction the Broncos will go in but if i had to guess, I think the Broncos will draft a quarterback. And I think it will be a guy that is not too well known. We’ll likely be asking “Who’s that?” after the selection. That doesn’t bother me at all. Tom Brady and Matt Cassell weren’t great college quarterbacks and they’ve turned out pretty well. It is now about being a good pro, not a well known college quarterback.
Mike
Thanks for the info and answering!!
Myles
We have a good O-line,and very good receivers…we’ll be just fine.
Go broncos.
Thanks for the post Mr. Rice
Everything I’ve read just confirms what I’ve been saying about bus cooks unscrupulous tactics. Which leads me to believe Cutler never wanted to be a Bronco in the first place.
I especially liked this statement: “But Jay Cutler was a big reason why this position was very attractive to me. As a person who has worked on the offensive side of the ball the last five years, coming to a place with a quarterback like Jay Cutler was exciting. That’s why I go back to the fact that we never initiated or we would never have any reason to initiate it (the original trade talks) because we felt comfortable with that.”
I just hope Tony Scheffler comes around. His agent is none other than bus cook.
TIME OF POSSESSION ! ! !
GO BRONCOS ! ! !
Ill start the chant a year in advance COLT McCOYY FOR DENVER
Mr. Rice I want to thank you for sharing your opinion of the future NFL QB’s.
monodono…you’re welcome for the post and the thoughts on the QB’s. Thanks for reading. Mike
McDaniels isn’t telling the truth, he tried to trade Jay and then lied about it when it didn’t work out.
I’m more disappointed in Pat Bowlen, how could he let our Pro Bowl Franchise QB go in favor of an unproven 32 year old coach?
brianke2, and you know this how? Listen Cutler was the one who didn’t show in Dove Valley not McDaniels.
Cutler was shady,period.Pat bowlen release a statement saying why they would trade him.I mean ,couldn’t Culter man up and answer a phone?
I don’t approve Mcdaniels trade talks,if Cutler was a big part of him getting the job,why he tried to trade him in first place?
However…
Cutler had a much worse attitude.The fact that macdaniels did something that nobody agreed,that does not make cutler’s decision less irresponsible.
Yes it was bus cooks advise and his greed that got him where he is today. Cutlers greed has been misconstrude as Him being a baby, when it was all bus cooks game plan to play the victim for more money. I for one am glad Pat Bowlen called cooks bluff and refused to pay Him anymore. Hopefully other TEAM’s will learn from this experience on how to deal with bus.
Look they not tell ya the whole story one of my childhood friends Went to school with Jay. I seen him there at the UFC Event with Jay that’s how I found out. so I gave him a call. Jay was mad about Jeremy leaving and being in a different offense that he would have to learn all ova again. He felt he would take a step back to Phillip and Eli in production because of it. So when a intern from New England told Josh what Matt ( Cassell) was going for he opted out and said no. Tampa was also in on it Because they were trying to aquire Matt to Trade for Jay. Why Jeremy Bates was thing of being there. Jeremy told Jay that Josh was trying to trade him. Jay want Peyton type money so he figured if they would pay Matt 14 mil and even bring Chris (Simms) 3mil a year give or take. He should get the same so he let his agent be the bad guy and try to sweat a new deal out of it. Think in his mind if your gonna trade me now and didn’t who’s to say you wont try next year. So he was tryna pull a Chad(Johnson) type of power play but it didn’t work. He wanted Josh to kiss his you know what and that was not gonna happen. Jay was schedule to make a lil ova a million this yr now look at the other QBs on the roster and check there contracts. Now he with the Bear and they talking about giving him a new contract but it wasn’t about the money. lol
Now Phillips(Rivers) and Eli(manning)s agent are waiting to see what Jay gets to Scale what to get there clients. Josh did the right thing. Jay he good but its like having a gun and not know how to aim it. Your more distructive than protective. Look at some of the game some plays he just threw it up for grabs. For intense the play that got Peton(Hillis) hurt he just threw it up for grabs. WE CAN HAVE THAT AND WIN. He took that critisim and felt they didnt believe in him so he did what he wanted. He on NFLNetwork ,Rich tells him he gonna call him when he gets to Chicago. Jay say dont worry I’ll answer your phone calls, but ya’ll think we (and I mean we cause if your a real fan when the team make a move your fill part of it not separate) the move to trade its everyone elses fault but his. lol GET OVA IT THE TEAM NEEDS OUR SUPPORT! So give it to them.AT the end of the day. If your mad at your boss and you dont wanna talk fine. But when the OWNER calls and you still wont talk your gonna get fired so WHY not A QB. THINK ABOUT IT!
Sorry for some of the mistake in typing but all true. That’s why I’m not mad. He wasn’t thinking of the fans or his teammates when he did what he did. When you put your house, your parents house on the market and you WON”T TALK TO THE OWNER WHEN HE CALLS AND YOU SEE THE # ON YOUR CELL AND PUT YOUR PHONE ON IGNORE(FACT THAT REALLY HAPPENED!) You wanted it to get that far!
ITs a repost from part 2 to put all your minds at ease! My comment that is
I think Jay Cutler is in the past - lets move on - Jay was never really a Bronco - he boasted he had a stronger arm than John Elway for heavens sake. Jay is about Jay - the first thing he said when he was at his press conference for the Bears was it was a larger media exposure - what does that tell you - also, Lovey Smith did not look like the kind of guy who was excited to have him - so only time will tell. I am excited about having Chris Simms and Kyle Orton - I am saddened by Paul Hackney’s dismissal - I was rooting for him too. I think everyone is just to insecure about how the Broncos will do - including myself but we must give our guys a chance - I know it cannot be as bad as last year - Shanahan was done - he showed no emotion about anything - his body language said it all - welcome Josh McDaniel and Mike Nolan - GO BRONCOS