Jay Cutler, broadcaster. After months of retirement rumors, Cutler officially hung up his cleats last week in order to sign with FOX Sports as a color commentator. Cutler, 34, will join Kevin Burkhardt and Charles Davis in calling games each and every Sunday. The career change is permanent, says Cutler, although he did admit he could feel some regret down the line. Cutler had negotiations with both the Jets and Texans before calling it a career.
Jamaal Charles stays in the AFC West. After nine seasons in Kansas City, Charles will now spend the 2017 campaign in Denver after agreeing to a one-year deal with the Broncos. The 30-year-old back will earn a base value of $1MM, but can bring in another $2.75MM through roster bonuses and incentives. Charles joins a backfield that also includes C.J. Anderson and Devontae Booker, and he admits he isn’t sure what his role will be with the Broncos (although passing down work seems likely).
Fifth-year option decisions come due. Clubs had until May 3 to exercise or decline 2018 options on players drafted in 2014, and there were certainly some surprises among the calls. The Bills opted not to pick up wide receiver Sammy Watkins‘ option, presumably based on his lengthy injury history, while the Jaguars exercised the option for quarterback Blake Bortles despite his recent struggles (and the ~$19MM price tag). Follow every decision with PFR’s 2018 Fifth-Year Option Tracker.
Giants and Lions in on LeGarrette Blount. Any chance of Blount returning to New England seemed to have evaporated when the Patriots signed Bills restricted free agent Mike Gillislee, but Blount’s market seems to be heating up. Detroit is interested in the veteran running back after not selecting an RB in the draft, while the Giants are still eyeing Blount even after adding Clemson’s Wayne Gallman. Last week, PFR’s Zach Links looked at the eight best fits for the 30-year-old Blount.
Consistent questions on Reuben Foster. Although the 49ers reportedly would have been comfortable selecting Foster with the No. 3 overall pick, concerns are still arising about the former Alabama linebacker. Foster’s latest surgery “didn’t take,” and San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan admitted Foster could miss the 2017 campaign in a worst-case scenario.
Photos courtesy of Pro Football Rumors on Instagram.