Former NFL quarterback Jay Cutler was arrested on Thursday evening in Tennessee after being involved in a traffic accident. The Franklin Police Department confirmed that Cutler, 41, is facing four charges, including driving under the influence, possession of a handgun while intoxicated, failure to exercise due care, and implied consent.

The incident occurred around 5 p.m. in downtown Franklin. According to the police, Cutler rear-ended another vehicle, prompting officers to investigate. They noted a strong smell of alcohol, along with Cutler’s slurred speech and bloodshot eyes. He refused to take a field sobriety test and was taken to a hospital, where blood samples were collected under a search warrant. Upon searching Cutler’s vehicle, police found two firearms, including a loaded pistol.

Cutler was booked into the Williamson County Jail but was released after posting a $5,000 bond later that night.

Jay Cutler was a first-round pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, selected by the Denver Broncos. He later played for the Chicago Bears, becoming their all-time leading passer with over 23,000 yards and 154 touchdowns. His last NFL season was in 2017 with the Miami Dolphins.

In other NFL news, Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton made a memorable return to New Orleans, where he coached the Saints for 16 years. Payton’s Broncos secured a dominant 33-10 win over the injury-plagued Saints, moving to a 4-3 record. This was the Broncos’ best start to a season since 2016.

Payton, reflecting on his return, said he arrived at the stadium early to take in the emotions of being back. Before the game, he shared moments with family and friends and attended an event honoring Drew Brees, his longtime quarterback in New Orleans.

During the game, the Broncos’ defense shined with six sacks and a defensive touchdown, limiting the Saints to 271 yards of offense. On the offensive side, the Broncos rushed for 225 yards, with Javonte Williams leading the charge with 88 yards and two touchdowns. Rookie quarterback Bo Nix added 75 rushing yards, helping the Broncos maintain control of the game.

Payton, after the game, was awarded the game ball in the Broncos’ locker room, a meaningful gesture for his return to the Superdome.

Meanwhile, the New Orleans Saints face more setbacks with injuries. Cornerback Paulson Adebo underwent surgery after breaking his femur during the Broncos game, with a recovery timeline of four to five months. Adebo, who will be a free agent in March, was injured while making a tackle in the second quarter. His season is officially over, marking a significant loss for the Saints’ defense.

Rookie cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry will likely fill Adebo’s spot for the remainder of the season. Adebo’s injury is one of many the Saints are dealing with, including wide receiver Rashid Shaheed, who had season-ending surgery on his meniscus, and several other key players being sidelined.

Saints head coach Dennis Allen acknowledged the challenge of keeping morale high amidst so many injuries, but emphasized that the team must push through the tough times.

Finally, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is once again generating MVP buzz, though he’s quick to downplay the hype. Jackson, who has won the MVP award twice before, is leading the NFL’s top offense and is on pace for one of the best statistical seasons of his career. Currently, Jackson ranks seventh in passing yards and eighth in rushing yards, with his performance sparking conversation about him potentially becoming a three-time MVP.

However, Jackson remains focused on winning games, saying he doesn’t dwell on individual accolades. His goal is to win a Super Bowl, as he has yet to advance past the conference championship game in the postseason.

The Ravens, now 4-2, are well-positioned for a playoff run, and Jackson’s impressive play has been a driving force. His coach, John Harbaugh, praised Jackson’s relentless pursuit of improvement and perfection in his game, a mindset that continues to elevate the team’s performance.

Jackson is currently the second favorite in the MVP race, trailing only Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.