Where Will The Broncos Send Cutler?

Now that the Denver Broncos have stated they intend to trade disgruntled quarterback Jay Cutler, the question becomes one thing. Where is he going?

The 49ers, Lions, Bears, Jets and Buccaneers are all obvious suitors.  Others like the Redskins, Vikings and Browns could also factor in.

The key is, which team has the most to offer the Broncos in terms of picks or players?

Detroit Lions

The Lions have reportedly offered the No. 1 pick in the Draft, but the Broncos were unwilling to take the salary.  The Lions would probably need to add another pick to, so my belief is, the Lions should pass on trading for Cutler and focus on rebuilding through the draft.  The decision by Denver should be a signal to interested teams that Cutler has a short-temper, thus: How much are you willing to sacrifice for a guy who could turn on you like he did to Denver at the first sight of trouble?

San Francisco 49ers

My first theory was for the Broncos to send Cutler to San Francisco for Alex Smith and their pick (I think Coach McDaniels can work with Smith, like he did with Cassell), but I'm not sure that Denver would want the salary of Smith and the tenth overall pick; plus the demand on Smith is not exactly high.  An alternative offer would be of their 1st, 2nd and 4th round picks or players, because that would put Denver in position to select Mark Sanchez.

Denver's defensive coordinator is former Niners coach Mike Nolan, so if Nolan has any say in this trade he might be interested in adding a few defensive players from the Niners (eg, Manny Lawson, Kentwan Balmer).

Cleveland Browns

Another possibility would be Cleveland, which could send Brady Quinn and their first rounder for Cutler.

Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings meanwhile, might be in a bind after trading for Sage Rosenfels and the trade they made for Jared Allen in 2008.  The Vikings would need to offer an impressive package of draft picks, so I'm not sure that the Vikings can now afford a trade for Cutler.

New York Jets

The Jets would have to make extraordinary offers in order to acquire Cutler: Multiple picks and probably players.

The Jets could send CB Dwight Lowery, S Eric Smith, DE Kenyon Colemen, LB Vernon Gholston and their first-rounder for Cutler.  If I were Pat Bowlen, that's what I'd want -- boatload of defensive-players (2 starters, 2 backups) with a draft pick to boot. 

Lowery, Smith and Coleman started in 2008 while Smith will now compete with Jim Leonhard, and Coleman will compete with Marques Douglas and the Jets acquired CB Lito Sheppard to play behind Lowery.  Meanwhile Gholston would add another pass-rush prospect to the mix for Denver with Elvis Dumervil and Jarvis Moss, and could potentially allow DJ Williams to play inside linebacker.  Furthermore, the Broncos could probably acquire Alex Smith from the Niners either way for a 3rd round pick.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Bucs would probably have to pull a Gruden-type of trade for Cutler (two first rounders, two second rounders).  The Bucs have shown interest in Cutler, with Tampa being the place Cutler would have went in a Matt Cassell trade.  I think it just depends on how much the Bucs want Cutler, and whether another team bids more.

Washington Redskins

If Dan Snyder wants a player, he does anything to get that player.  The 'Skins have become disenchanted with Jason Campbell, so I think the only question is: How much do the Redskins want Cutler?  Do they want him as badly as Mike Ditka wanted Ricky Williams?

By the way, I'm a Raider fan so there's nothing I would like more than for the Broncos to be the new NFL punchline.  But speaking as an observer of NFL clubs not based in Oakland -- that is what I would do in Denver's situation.