Denver's local CBS affiliate is reporting that QB Jay Cutler is fed up -- fed up I tell you! -- with the team situation and has told the Broncos to trade him.
CBS4 has learned that disgruntled Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler is no longer in Denver and is done negotiating with the team. Cutler will not be attending Monday's voluntary team workout. Sources tell CBS4 he has told the Broncos to trade him.
Cutler and his agent met face-to-face with the Broncos Saturday where no progress was made between the quarterback and his new head coach.
The earlier reports were unsettling. This report -- if true -- is flat out disturbing.
ESPN's Chris Mortensen is chiming in as well, reporting that Cutler said:
"I went in there with every intention of solving the issue, being a Bronco, moving forward as a Bronco," Cutler said. "We weren't in there but about 20 minutes, [McDaniels] did most of the talking and as far as I'm concerned, he made it clear he wants his own guy. He admitted he wanted Matt Cassel because he said he has raised him up from the ground as a quarterback. He said he wasn't sorry about it. He made it clear that he could still entertain trading me because, as he put it, he'll do whatever he feels is in the best interest of the organization."
Wow. There are two ways to look at this:
One, Cutler is being a massive primadonna who's throwing a hissy fit that he's not being "respected" enough as the leader of the team. "This is my team and I demand you respect my ah-thor-i-tay!"
Or two, Head Coach Josh McDaniels has a huge man-crush on Matt Cassel / a huge man-crush on the idea that he can create the next Matt Cassel out of the primordial clay of the earth. "Bring me Matt Gutierrez and I'll conquer the world!"
OK, it could be some combination of the two. I guess that would be three ways to look at it. The first two were bad enough.
What a disaster. At this point, a draft day trade of Cutler might be the best way this ends for the Broncos.