About-face: Jay Cutler has high praise for old boss Josh McDaniels after rift led to trade

Cutler has good things to say about McDaniels

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Now that they’ve been separated for five months, Bears quarterback Jay Cutler has high praise for Broncos rookie coach Josh McDaniels, whom he’ll see in a preseason game at Invesco Field this weekend.

Cutler says in the brief time he spent with McDaniels he could tell Bill Belichick’s latest disciple was an offensive mastermind. Cutler said the Broncos are in good hands with McDaniels and quarterback Kyle Orton.

“He’s going to be a good coach,” Cutler told Denver reporters in a conference call Wednesday. “I think their offense is going to be fine. I think Kyle’s going to be fine. (McDaniels) is an offensive mind.

“Just the brief amount of time I was able to spend with him, he’s impressive. He knows a lot about offenses, he knows a lot about getting guys open and scoring points, as everyone’s seen when he was in New England, so I think they’re going to be fine.”

The Broncos traded Cutler to Chicago for Orton and three draft picks in April after Cutler’s rift with McDaniels became irreparable.

The genesis of their disagreement came when Cutler learned McDaniels had talked to the Patriots about acquiring quarterback Matt Cassel in a three-way trade that would have sent him to Tampa Bay. Cassel was dealt to Kansas City instead, but in subsequent conversations, Cutler couldn’t get assurances from the 33-year-old rookie coach that his name wouldn’t come up again in trade talks. So he asked out.

Cutler said he doesn’t want to rehash the details of their ugly divorce, but feels both sides are happier now that they’re apart.

“I think both sides would change certain things and go about it a different way, but I think both sides are happy now and we’re moving on,” Cutler said of the way his stint in Denver came to an acrimonious end.

Cutler said he’s not exactly hyped for his return to the Mile High City, where he’s still trying to sell his multimillion dollar home.

“It’s a preseason game, we’ve got to keep that in perspective,” Cutler said, suggesting the Bears’ real focus is on their opener against Green Bay next month.

Cutler added he expects a rude reception from the fans Sunday night and wouldn’t expect anything less.

“I mean, they’re good fans there and you know we left … it wasn’t the best situation,” Cutler said.

That’s about all Cutler would say about Denver’s fans after dissing them in a Chicago radio interview during training camp, when he said Broncos fans were a 6 and Bears fans a 9. He later clarified his remarks to say he was talking about the bigger crowds at Bears training camp practices, that’s all.

Cutler also said he wouldn’t snub McDaniels if they happen to run into each other before the game, but won’t go out of his way to shake his hand.

“I’m not going to seek him out. I’ve got business I’ve got to take care of there,” Cutler said. “I’ve got a game I’ve got to play in, so we’ll see how it goes.”

Cutler expects to see a heavy dose of blitzing from the Broncos.

“It’s the third preseason game, so offenses and defenses are adding a little bit more and a little bit more and some different wrinkles out there. So, we’re just going to be on our toes and be prepared for anything,” he said.

Cutler also said he had no advice for Broncos receiver Brandon Marshall, whose trade request this summer was denied.

“None of my business. I’m out of the loop on that whole thing,” Cutler said.

In a bit of a surprise, Cutler said he hasn’t spoken with former Broncos coach Mike Shanahan, who was fired Dec. 30 after the Broncos’ monumental collapse cost them a division title and a trip to the playoffs.

“Mike’s busy playing a lot of golf,” Cutler cracked.

After telling reporters in Lake Forest, Ill., he didn’t miss a thing about Denver, Cutler told a different story on his conference call.

“I had fun in Denver. It’s not like I didn’t enjoy my time there because I did. I loved my teammates, I loved playing there. But certain things happen that force you to move and one of those things did happen. I had to move on.”