Months after Tony Romo abruptly retired from the NFL to pursue a career in broadcasting, another former Pro Bowl quarterback is reportedly considering the same move.
According to NFL.com reporter Mike Garafolo, ex-Bear Jay Cutler has already auditioned with a TV network.
The former Chicago Bears quarterback, who has received little interest from teams (at least as an unquestioned starter), is exploring a post-football career in broadcasting, according to multiple television sources and people with knowledge of Cutler’s thinking.
Cutler and his representatives have spoken with network executives about football-related TV roles and sources said Cutler has auditioned with at least one network in recent weeks. It’s unclear how far along Cutler is in the process and whether he’s negotiating a contract, but his audition indicates he’s serious about broadcasting.
ESPN’s Jeff Dickerson reports that Cutler’s audition came with FOX, where he might replace John Lynch, who is now the general manager of the San Francisco 49ers.
The Bears cut Cutler back in March, ending an eight-year tenure with the team that included some big numbers but also numerous disappointments. If Cutler’s career is over, he’ll end it with 32,467 yards passing (37th all-time) and 208 touchdowns against 146 interceptions. He may have made fans of his team want to tear their hair out at times, but he also put up some gaudy stats. So… kind of like Romo.
Cutler, like Romo, could still get an NFL job if he wants one. Numerous teams could use a big arm, and not many of those are available at this stage of the offseason. But he apparently hasn’t gotten an offer to be a starter, and he’s not interested in being a back-up.
It’s possible Cutler is leaking his interest in television to build some leverage with an NFL team. Maybe if a quarterback-needy franchise thinks Cutler might really walk away, it will offer him a little more money of playing time.
Or maybe Cutler would simply rather wear a headset in the TV booth than on the sidelines.
