Jay Cutler to the Detroit Lions?

As the Broncos announced today that they will entertain trade offers for QB Jay Cutler, there are plenty of NFL teams lining up.  However, no team is in dire need of a franchise QB, or just a franchise anything, more than the Detroit Lions.

Coming off a winless season, the Lions have plenty of positions to fill, which makes the Jay Cutler Saga all the more compelling. 

If the Lions are even on the fence about whether or not to draft University of Georgia QB Matthew Stafford with the No. 1 overall pick, the opportunity of getting Cutler is one they cannot pass up.  Why take the chance on Stafford when you’re fully aware of what a franchise QB such as Cutler can bring to the table?

The Lions could stand to trade two of their three top-end picks to acquire Cutler and still have a high enough pick leftover to land a first- or second-tier offensive tackle.  Sure, the Lions' abysmal defense will stay abysmal another year, but a significantly better quarterback and upgrade to their offensive line will at least enable them to stay in games past halftime, maybe even win a few. 

The Broncos might look in Detroit’s direction if not for anything more but to spurn the quarterback who they feel had overreacted to previous trade rumors. I mean, what better way of punishing a player than putting him in Honolulu Blue for the next few years?

Except...

The Lions wouldn’t just be getting Cutler, they would be getting a pissed off quarterback with a giant chip on his shoulder, a natural leader, a word that has gone unfamiliar for far too long with the current roster.