2018 NFL Draft: Josh Rosen responds to Jay Cutler comparisons
UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen has been compared to Jay Cutler for both positive and negative reasons. Rosen responded to the comparison.
UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen has earned the reputation of the most fundamentally sound quarterback in the 2018 NFL Draft. With all but perfect mechanics, including a fluid throwing motion and superb footwork, Rosen is ahead of the pack.
Despite having all of the tools to be an elite pocket passer, however, Rosen has been projected to come off the board at everywhere between No. 2 and No. 12 overall.
The knock against Rosen on the field is based on the fact that he has a history of injuries that could be blamed on his relatively thin frame. There are concerns that range beyond football, however, as he’s garnered comparisons to Jay Cutler for what’s been perceived as a carefree attitude.
According to Sam Alipour of ESPN The Magazine, Rosen likened the Cutler comparisons to Baker Mayfield being frustrated by the Johnny Manziel juxtaposition.
"Yeah, it’s as frustrating as Baker Mayfield hearing the Johnny Manziel comparisons. I just don’t think it’s true. But it’s up to me to prove them wrong. If it persists, it’s my fault for not silencing it."
That last sentence is the most important of all, as it displays Rosen’s sense of accountability as he prepares for life in the NFL.
Rosen, like Cutler, can make all of the throws at the highest possible level. His arm talent makes him one of the most coveted players in this draft class, but his mindfulness of a life after football has created the fear that his passion for the game will waver.
Thankfully, Rosen is confronting those criticisms head-on and acknowledging that the only way to make them disappear is to prove his skeptics wrong.
If Rosen plays as well as his arm talent and mechanics permit, then the comparisons to Cutler will soon disappear.
Statistically, Rosen produced 3,756 passing yards, 26 passing touchdowns, and 10 interceptions during the 2017 season. Beyond the numbers, he displayed the ability to make plays under pressure and lead his team to plays of critical importance.
Despite being sacked 26 times, Rosen proved that he has the physical ability and mental processing speed to play at a high level.
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The question is: Will Josh Rosen prove that the Jay Cutler comparisons are off-base in the weeks leading up to the 2018 NFL Draft?