Fox Sports has hired Jay Cutler as a color commentator.

Cutler found his free agent market tepid this offseason, which prompted the move. Cutler isn't prepared to fully say he's done with football.

"I don't know if retirement is the right word; I don't feel that anyone ever really retires from the NFL," Cutler told ESPN's Jeff Darlington. "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."

Two NFL general managers of QB-needy teams say they did not anticipate Cutler getting a role that would allow him to compete for a starting job. An injury could give Cutler a shot to return.