The NFL draft is barely a month away.
I only mention it because, strange as it may seem for a man who has yet to see a Sunday sideline as the Broncos’ leader, the next three to four weeks could determine Josh McDaniels’ future as the team’s head coach.
Yes, these next few weeks could prove to be that important. First, there’s the Jay Cutler issue. Is McDaniels going to ship out his disgruntled quarterback or is he going to extend an olive branch and develop a working relationship with him?
If Cutler is traded, there’s no telling how much it could set the franchise back. For all his issues between the ears, Cutler is a rare talent, the likes of which the Broncos have searched for since John Elway’s retirement. Maybe McDaniels could get by with a stop-gap quarterback, but it certainly isn’t a recipe for long-term success.
Then there’s the Brandon Marshall issue. Will Marshall be suspended? And if so, for how long? The Broncos need to know, and before the draft. If Marshall is sent to timeout for half or the entire season, it would impact how the Broncos conduct their business on draft day.
Finally, there’s the matter of the rest of the roster. For all the attention the Cutler-McDaniels relationship has gotten, Cutler is just one player among 53. The most important player, yes, but just one player. McDaniels has to find a way to come out of this mess and maintain the respect of the other players, many of whom have sided with Cutler.
Trust me, it isn’t just fans and media who are watching the young coach’s every move. The other players are watching more closely than anyone else.
Follow Jim Armstrong’s sports updates on The Jimmy Page during the week. And read his columns on Tuesdays and Thursdays at .
He can be reached at 303-954-1269 or jmarmstrong@denverpost.com.
