Champ Bailey: Broncos teammates disliked QB Jay Cutler
By Tylor Walden
Dec 21, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field. The Lions defeated the Bears 20-14. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
The Denver Broncos drafted current Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler in 2006. The team figured to have a young player learn under Jake Plummer until he was ready to take the reigns. However, it did not last long and Josh McDaniels showed Cutler out the door via trade.
But how did Jay Cutler conduct himself during his time in Denver? A former Bronco great might have some insight on the Jay Cutler saga.
Retired Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey recently appeared on “The Herd with Colin Cowherd” on Monday and provided some insight on how life was in the same locker room as Jay Cutler.
It was clear that Broncos fans were not key on Jay Cutler during his time with the Denver Broncos. But from Champ Bailey’s insights, it appears as if his teammates were on the same page as the fans were.
“Back when he was a young guy, [Jay] Cutler rubbed a lot of people the wrong way. I played with him for three years and he was a guy that we did not look up to because he was such a young guy. We did not expect him to lead us.”
Champ Bailey makes a fair point, but I feel as if the quarterback is going to be a leader on the team. No matter how young he is, a quarterback is to lead a team. But what Champ Bailey had to say next about Jay Cutler would provide reason why he was not a good leader.
Nov 27, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
“Now what I did pay attention to was how he rubbed people the wrong way, like his teammates. A backup quarterback mentioned to me that he did not like him. Other guys on the roster at the time did not have anything good to say about him.”
Now the role of a quarterback is to become a team leader, and it appears with his attitude in Denver, he was far from that leader. That could be a reason why Josh McDaniels was up to getting Matt Cassell when he arrived in the Mile High city.
Champ Bailey also added how Jay Cutler compared to the well known NFL quarterback’s in the league right now.
“He always has the attitude, that swagger about him and the way that he looks down and walks. It rubs people the wrong way. It is not what people expect from him because he is being compared to Peyton Manning, Brett Farve, Aaron Rodgers, people whom the fans love. When compared to them, Jay Cutler does not compare because he has not had the success or won in that position.”
In my opinion, it made little sense to me as to why the Broncos were up to trading Jay Cutler. But with the comments that Champ Bailey made during the show, it has now come full circle. Perhaps Josh McDaniels did the Broncos a favor.
While Jay Cutler might have found some success as the Chicago Bears’ quarterback, it has been revealed that the immaturity he showed during his time in Denver ultimately cost him his job. Perhaps it is these actions that have lingered with him throughout his career and make him an unlikable player.