(Photo by Jim Prisching/Getty Images)

The Trade

Let's get this Jay Cutler business out of the way.

Yes, the Chicago Bears gave up an arm and a leg to get him.

Yes, Cutler has a reputation to be whiny and a little self-centered.

No, it wasn't a bad trade. Let me explain:

Every Bears fan remembers where they were the moment they found out about the infamous Jay Cutler trade.

Personally, I was at work and received a text message that got me kicked out of my weekly department meeting. My friend almost punched me because he didn't believe me when I told him.

Matt Stafford and Mark Sanchez were the first quarterbacks taken in the draft (1st and 5th overall, respectively). Can you or can anyone guarantee that one of them will become franchise quarterbacks?

No, you can't. Where's Brady Quinn? Matt Leinart? Vince Young? Alex Smith?

Not that those players won't become franchise quarterbacks and there have been just as many contemporary draft picks that have become franchise quarterbacks. Stafford and Sanchez just aren't guarantees.

Cutler is a guarantee. That guarantee is worth the first and the third alone. The 2010 first round pick is what separated the Bears from the other suitors therefore making it a necessary evil.

Now add in the fact that Chicago hasn't had a true franchise quarterback in perhaps a half-century.

The trade is, and will be, worth it.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?