On Monday, Jay Cutler is going to have a decision to make. Whether he believes it or not, his decision will affect the rest of his career.
Cutler is going to decide if he should report to the Denver Broncos voluntary mini-camp or stay home to make a point to the organization.
The idea Cutler is even considering such a decision is ludicrous at best.
Since learning the Broncos tried to trade him for one-year wonder Matt Cassel, Cutler has acted like the Broncos took his favorite pet and did unspeakable things to it.
This would be understandable if you were Peyton Manning or Tom Brady, quarterbacks who have become the face of their respective franchises’ and the unquestioned leaders of their teams.
Cutler has only been in the NFL for three seasons and although his production has increased each season, he is still a long way from achieving Manning-like status.
If Cutler wants to see how to handle this situation going forward, he needs to look no further than San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson.
Tomlinson, the Chargers’ five-time Pro Bowler, has become a fixture in San Diego since he first came into the league in 2001. During that time, Tomlinson has rushed for 11,760 yards, has 3,801 receiving yards, and scored a total of 141 touchdowns.
But things took a step back for Tomlinson in 2008 when he had his lowest statistical season as a professional, racking up only 1,110 yards and 11 touchdowns on 292 carries, doing so while dealing with nagging injuries.
After Tomlinson had his second postseason cut short by injuries, many were suggesting Tomlinson was on the decline. Then the discussions started. The Chargers wanted to save some cap space along with some money by restructuring his contract.
It meant Tomlinson would be the second highest paid running back on the Chargers roster, behind Darren Sproles who received the franchise tag this off season.
Negotiations between Tomlinson’s agent and the Chargers’ were tense at times, but it never reached a point where verbal jabs were being tossed back and forth publicly. In the end the deal was completed where both sides got what they wanted.
Tomlinson carried himself professionally through the entire process with the Chargers and it showed why he is one of the classiest players in the league. To suggest Cutler hasn’t handled himself well throughout this situation is an understatement.
Some are of the opinion that Cutler’s shenanigans are his way of trying to get out of Denver.
If that’s the case, Cutler needs to grow up. If he wants to avoid being mentioned in possible trade scenarios, he has to become the quarterback Denver believed he could be when they drafted him.
Cutler has three years remaining on his current contract and should focus on working towards becoming one of the NFLs elite quarterbacks. If he can improve to the point where he is a consistent top five quarterback, there will be a big payday in his future.
If Cutler wants to do the right thing for his professional career, he should show up tomorrow like every other Bronco and try to move forward. All he can do now is to prove it on the field and stop acting like a three-year old who had his toy taken away.
