Bears and Broncos Both Win From Cutler Trade

While it is a natural inclination for sports fans, and humans in general, to want to categorize something into pro or con, I want to look at the Jay Cutler trade and tell it from both sides.

I am not going to use statistics, which I know will likely upset some people.

I am not going to try to predict how many games either the Broncos or Bears will win next season.

Instead, I want to look at this logically. Because, my initial reaction when I heard the news was that both teams won in this deal. And I still feel that way.

Pros for Denver 

I think it is fairly obvious that anytime you can take a potential locker room nuisance out of play, and get something significant back in its' place, you did well. And that is what Denver did.

By adding the eighteenth pick in the 2009 NFL Draft to the pick they already possessed, the No. 12, the Broncos have a chance to get two quality young players to build their franchise (hopefully their defense) around. 

And by adding a pick for next season, they create opportunities to build in the future after finding out what issues they need to address after this season.

But the real coup for Denver is Kyle Orton. I know it may sound odd for someone to say the team would be better with Orton at quarterback than Cutler, and I'm not, but Denver may be better without Cutler.

Orton is a guy who worked in a pass-happy offense at Purdue and then arrived in Chicago, and in his rookie season, just won games. Ever since, he's been a part-time starter with Rex Grossman. So it is hard to say if he is made to lead a team for a full season.

But here's the kicker. Josh McDaniels has won with inexperienced quarterbacks before. Although, he was quarterbacks coach during much of Brady's upbringing, McDaniels of course made Matt Cassel a good NFL quarterback a season ago. Orton was higher thought of coming out of college.

And even if Orton doesn't work out, Chris Simms is another option next season. Both Orton and Simms have started in the NFL, and are definitely skilled enough to start once again.

The other factor behind this deal, is that it may free the Broncos up to go after Mark Sanchez at No. 12 if he's still there, or package their two first round picks to move up and get him, if necessary. Sanchez would seem to be a good fit for the McDaniels offense, with a strong arm, quick decision-making, and good pocket presence.

Cons for Denver

Obviously, losing Cutler does hurt, at least a little. His quick release, bullet for an arm, and connection with Brandon Marshall and Tony Scheffler will be missed.

A majority of Denver fans are upset that McDaniels and company allowed for Cutler to become disgruntled the way he was. It will take awhile for McDaniels to earn the fans' trust, if that even matters (which I don't think it does).

Finally, Denver has to hope that Orton, Simms, or TBD can play quarterback for the Broncos the way Cutler, or at least Cassel, was able to a season ago. Can either of these guys be the kind of presence and leader Cutler was (although a moody one)?

Pros for the Bears

Chicago makes a huge P.R. splash, good or bad. Bears fans think they have a future Hall of Fame quarterback.

Here are a couple factors that could make Cutler successful as a Bear.

1. That strong arm: Chicago is affectionately known as "The Windy City". That means for a quarterback to successful, he needs to have pretty close to a canon on his shoulder. Cutler has that.

2. Vertical threat: Because of that cannon, the deep ball is a realistic option for the Bears offense. Devin Hester has the speed and is learning the nuances of the game to become a consistent big play receiver. Add in the check down option with tight end Greg Olsen, and there is some talent to chuck the ball to.

3. Look Ma, a running game: The Bears have long been known for being a power running team. With Matt Forte and Kevin Jones, the Bears are in as good a shape as they've been in a long time to run the ball consistently, plus are both good targets out of the backfield.

4. A "player's coach": Head coach Lovie Smith will make sure Cutler's confidence is always high. Ron Turner will build the offense around Cutler's talents as an athletic gunslinger.

Cons for Chicago

1. The obvious is my biggest objection. Jerry Angelo, you just gave up two first round picks for a guy who has a losing record as an NFL starter. All you got in exchange was a fifth round pick. And you've done nothing significant in free agency to improve your team. Good luck Jay, with all the talent around you.

2. The O-Line: Two years ago, Cutler was abused more than Rhianna by Chris Brown. It was only with a much improved offensive Line that Cutler was able to excel. Although the Bears did sign former All-Pro Orlando Pace, he is not a long-term answer. If the Bears don't find a way to protect Cutler, he will struggle (as would any quarterback).

3. Fade D Fade: The Bears defense has gotten worse since making the Super Bowl. Urlacher and Briggs are still good linebackers, but the secondary looks depleted and they get NO pass rush.

Smith is trying to play Barack Obama by taking over the defense. Sorry Lovie, you need some young talent on that side of the ball. Otherwise, your defense will continue to fade away.

4. It's Chicago: The Bears are almost as plagued historically as the Cubs, at least in terms of developing a franchise quarterback. You could make the claim, that that is exactly why it will work; they did not develop Cutler.

But if you add in the fact that none of Cutler's projected receivers came anywhere close to 800 yards receiving, Cutler could have a day and a half to throw but no one to throw to. That is when he makes mistakes, when nobody is open. He tries to rely on that canon. That equals interceptions, and too many of those equals losses.

So we'll see. I think both teams could end up winning with this trade. But I know for a fact, that I like the deal from the Broncos perspective. The AFC West should be very interesting next season. And the NFC North, well they've got Cutler.