Jay Cutler: Which Possible New Team Is The Most Realistic?

Obviously, no NFL team can publicly comment on whether or not they want disgruntled Denver Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler.

But let's be honest here, who wouldn't want him?

The 6'3", 233-pound Pro Bowler threw for over a thousand yards in just five games in 2006, and has added 8,023 in the two years since.

And now, he's not happy with his team, and there's going to be several suitors for the former Commodore.

I believe teams like Detroit and Tennessee are out of the question. Honestly, what does an 0-16 team have to offer a playoff-caliber club like the Broncos? Maybe draft picks, but I don't see Denver trading a future Hall of Famer.

A trip down south to Nashville is also doubtful with Kerry Collins there. Can you see Cutler playing second fiddle?

My brother keeps bringing the San Fransisco 49ers up, but—really? Candlestick Park certainly wasn't on fire last year, where the home team was 27th in rushing, 23rd in total yards and 22nd in scoring offense.

Not exactly the breeding grounds for a future HOF quarterback of Cutler's caliber.

One team I could see acquiring Cutler would be the New York Jets—keep in mind, this is the team that took in Brett Farve, who was (or is...wait, is he officially retired?) represented by agent Bus Cook.

Apparently, Cook is the mastermind behind the Denver Drama, and I wouldn't be surprised, given the debacle that was Favre retiring, then coming back, then retiring, then coming back...you get the idea.

However, there is one team that's probably the most intriguing, and, in my opinion, the most likely to house Cutler if the Broncos are stupid enough to actually let him go. That team is the Chicago Bears.

Sure, Kyle Orton could become a great NFL quarterback—but Cutler already is one.

Cutler would also be connecting with fellow Vanderbilt grad Earl Bennett. The offensive may not be the best, being ranked 21st, 24th and 26th in passing, rushing and total yards.

However, the move will move Cutler to his favorite childhood team and he'll be closer to his home state of Indiana (because really, there's no chance of him actually going to the home state team. Unless...)

Chicago Tribune writer David Haugh lists players like Brian Urlacher, Orton, Marcus Harrison, and Nathan Vasser as possible trade opportunities. However, with Orton lacking far behind Cutler's stats, a third team will have to be included in the deal.

Haugh says of a possible trade that "this isn't simply a window of opportunity for the Bears; it's like the doors of an airplane hangar opening wide type of opportunity."

He also states, "the NFL team that finds a way to trade for Cutler instantly becomes the team that enjoyed the best offseason. The Broncos instantly would have the worst."

And, of course, there's always, oh, I don't know...the Denver Broncos?

With a rebuilt defense and weapons like Eddie Royal and Brandon Marshall, and 12 other running backs the former Patriots coach has signed to compete for a job, Cutler simply won't find this anywhere else.

McDaniels would be a fool to trade this franchise player—but of course, he was a fool for trying to trade him in the first place. Or at least, letting the fact that he did try to trade him get out.

Both sides are accusing each other of leaks, and now Cutler doesn't feel his new coach is trying to work things out, he feels antagonized and there's simply no trust anymore.

If both sides can meet in the middle, the Denver Broncos are a team to beat in 2009.

If they can't, and Cutler does end up leaving...well, who knows.

No matter what happens, it'll probably be a while before this Mile High drama starts to settle back down.

Thanks to the New York Times, NFL.com, the Chicago-Tribue, the Detroit Free Press, and the Knoxville News Central for the information, stats and quotes used in this piece.