Cutler hits practice field for first time as Dolphins quarterback

Former Bears QB joins team after signing 1-year, $10 million contract

Jay Cutler prepares to take a snap in his first practice with the Miami Dolphins at the team's training camp facility in Davie, Florida, Aug. 8, 2017.

DAVIE, Fla. – One day after being introduced as the newest quarterback for the Miami Dolphins, Jay Cutler practiced with the team for the first time Tuesday.

Cutler looked sharp in drills, showcasing his strong arm on deep throws to Dolphins receivers. The former Bears quarterback came in after Matt Moore worked with the first team.

Recommended Videos



"I think a couple more days out here and I’ll be back and be 100 (percent)," Cutler said after practice. "It’s a little hotter out than I’m used to, but it was fun. It was fun being out (there)."

Cutler missed Monday's practice because it took place as he landed in South Florida to sign a $10 million, one-year contract. Cutler, 34, decided to delay the start of his network television career for the chance to replace Ryan Tannehill and be reunited with head coach Adam Gase, his former offensive coordinator with the Chicago Bears.

Despite hanging up his cleats just months ago, Cutler was ready for what was thrown at him during practice.

“It’s kind of a crash course if you already took the course before," Cutler said. "Some of the run game stuff has changed. The passing game is kind of relatively the same."

The longtime NFL quarterback added he has no worries about getting up to speed.

"It’ll come back quickly," Cutler said.

Cutler is expected to leapfrog longtime Moore for the starting job while Tannehill remains out with a left knee injury that likely will sideline him for the entire season.

Gase contacted Cutler shortly after Tannehill was hurt Thursday and said the former first-round draft pick needed no persuading to launch a comeback. But Cutler likened the conversations with Gase to college recruiting, saying the decision to return was difficult.

He parted with the Bears in March after eight seasons and was then hired by Fox as an analyst to work in its No. 2 NFL broadcast booth.

Cutler said his two sons and pickup basketball games at his alma mater, Vanderbilt, helped him stay in shape. He missed time last year with a sprained right thumb and a labrum injury that required season-ending right shoulder surgery in December, but he said he's healthy now and confident his arm will be fine.

Fans who watched practice had positive reviews of Cutler.

"I give him a good B-plus," fan Andrew Pitter said. "But it's still practice."

Dr. Jerry Friedman even went so far as to say the Dolphins are Super Bowl-bound.

"I think we have a very good chance with Matty Moore and Cutler of going to Super Bowl LII," he said.