Jay Cutler is joining Fox as a broadcaster, but one detail seemingly leaves the door open for a return to the NFL

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May 5, 2017 2:26 PM

Cutler will initially work in a three-person booth as a second color commentator in order to adjust to the new position.

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Jay Cutler is becoming a broadcaster, but one interesting detail may mean that Cutler is not ready to retire from playing football in the NFL.

Cutler is joining Fox as a broadcaster for their NFL coverage, according to several reports, including Peter Schrager of Fox.

While Cutler is going to work as a broadcaster, his position could make it easier to return to the NFL if he desires.

According to ESPN, Cutler will initially work in a three-person booth as a second color commentator in order to adjust to the new position.

However, as Jeff Dickerson of ESPN notes, by working in a three-person booth, it conceivably would make it easier for Cutler to leave the booth without causing a major shakeup in game assignments for Fox. If a team were lose a starting quarterback due to injury, Cutler could become a replacement option.

Cutler released a statement, and even he refused to call it a retirement and admitted that some part of him still has a desire to play.

"I don't know if retirement is the right word," Cutler wrote (via Jeff Darlington). "I don't feel that anyone ever really retires from the NFL. You are either forced to leave, or you lose the desire to do what's required to keep going. I'm in between those situations at this point in my life."

As recently as two weeks ago, Cutler, who played 11 years in the NFL and the last eight seasons with the Chicago Bears, wanted to play in 2017, according to his agent. However, as he remained unsigned following the draft, reports emerged that he had auditioned for a position with Fox.

According to Adam Schefter, Cutler had "real discussions" with the Jets about becoming their new quarterback, and "less-promising ones" with the Texans, before opting to join Fox.

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