Bad news. I just heard the Broncos and Bears have agreed in principle on deal that will send Cutler to Chicago. I'm sure it will make it to ESPN and NFL.com pretty soon. We actually have to worry about a good QB in the NFC North for the first time in ages.

ESPN saying it is for Orton and 2 first round picks.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4037373

Here it is..

EDIT: Foxsports says that Chicago traded this years and next years 1st round picks, a 3rd round pick and Kyle Orton for Cutler and a 5th round pick. Pretty steep. Especially if it doesn't work out.

Damn, I hate being right all the time. I knew this was going to happen. For those of you who said it wouldn't and that they'd be better served going after WR's, I guess we'll see how well this works out.

They did give up a lot for him, though.

Hmmm, picks #18 (900) & #48 (420) & #149 (31.8) = 1351.8 points. That's pretty darned close to #9 (1350).

Probably just me but I am ok with him going to CHI. He is good but in many peoples view overrated. From what has transpired can tell he is a bit of a head case, or just as bad has Bus(outta town) Cook as an agent. Plus 2 first rounders and a third is pretty steep price.

This is a double whammy for me also being a Broncos fan. I know McDaniels is in over his head and the Broncos are going to royally suck next year and the years to follow. Not only did they lose Cutler but they had to trade him to the NFC North. Kyle Orton is no Jay Cutler. The Bears could draft a WR early and Jay Cutler is going to make him look like a star. The division just instantly got much tougher for the Packers after this move. Ted Thompson better be damn serious about fixing the defense. The division is no longer a cakewalk filled with crappy QBs.

I don't know how Cutler can be overrated. He led the Broncos to 8-8 with a defense as bad as the Detroit Lions. You're nuts if you don't think Chicago is going to be tough to beat now. Chicago's defense is lightyears better than the Broncos. I can't see the Bears finishing anything less than 8-8 or 9-7 with Cutler. Most likely better. The Bears are now a legitimate team now. Cutler is not overrated. He has a 12-1 record when the defense gives up 22 or fewer points. Chicago usually has a good defense but have always been plagued by atrocious QB play. That's not the case anymore. Cutler is a guy that can definitely hurt you.

Weren't the Broncos also down to about their 23rd-string RB last season?

This makes opening day alot more interesting...

Gotta give credit to denvers GM for getting a kings ransom for a player everyone knew that they were going to trade. Not an easy task

this sucks. Cutler could make a guy like Rashied Davies look pretty good.

i sure hope we stockpile the d this month.

This sucks.

At least he didn't go to the Vikings.


Still, it makes the Bears and the Packers the only two teams with legit QB's in the division. I hate the freaking bears.




Man I didn't want that guy in our division!

Well, my first impression is, "Sh!t."

For the first time in 18 years the Packers don't have the best QB in the division.

This is a BIG risk for the Bears though. Their lifeblood has been the draft, and their soul has been their defense. Their D has been on the decline the past few years. They basically just gave up two defensive starters for Cutler. That could prove killer for a team that doesn't like to throw a lot of money at free agents. It will be interesting to see how that D fares the next couple seasons.

Chicago's D was and is better than Denver's, but Cutler may very well find himself in a more familiar situation than he thinks.

Terms:

Chicago gets:

Jay Cutler

Denvers 5th in 09'



Broncos get:

2009 1st

2010 1st

2009 3rd

Kyle Orton


Good pick-up for the Bears. Their schedule is one of the weakest and that boads well for them.

The NFC North is one of the best young QB division in the NFL w/ Rodgers, Cutler, Stafford (presumably) and the Vikings QB.


On draft day Packers fans better hope Sanchez slips to #9 so they can make a deal w/ Denver because he (Sanchez) will NOT get by the 49ers. If he (Sanchez) gets by Seattle, I can see that happening.

I don't think Thompson will take a "knee jerk reaction" and over pay for Peppers, but I do think he may be more open to moving certain pieces to make it happen. I can see a scenario that has them making a deal with Denver, adding a 1st and a 2nd w/ a conditional pick or 2 firsts (either 1 this year and 1 next or 2 this year) and then shipping 1 of them to Carolina for Peppers.

Cutler is a talent, there is no doubt in my mind, but what I question is his ability to up lift his team when they are down, I guess his leadership. You can be well liked in a locker room, but that doesn't make you a leader. Time will tell. He now has to deal w/ the winds in Chicago, the BRUTLE Chicago winters and a division that has talented teams in Green Bay and Minnesota (the AFC West has been weak in recent years). He won't have the Raiders and Chiefs to push around and pad stats.

The Packers secondary better be ready to m ake plays and get challenged....I think they will be up to the challenge.

He had a 86 passer rating last year, nothing spectacular. The Broncos did have better recievers then he will have in CHI, and he throws a lot of picks. He also has some health concerns.

I would rank Cutler as just outside the top 10 QB's in the league right now. Don't get me wrong this makes CHI a better team, but this could very well be a Hershal Walker type deal. Think 2 first rounds picks is a lot to give up.

The one thing will definitely give Cutler is that he has a Favre-like 'find a way' factor late in games. Still do not think this makes CHI the fav in the NFC North.

I think he's well within the top 10 qb's in the league right now.



The bears go from a position of ineptitude to a position of strength. I hate this.

Well, they paid through the nose to get him at least. Now I'm hearing they've added Orlando Pace as well. Oof.

The Packers still have the best QB in the division. Rodgers will prove that again this season.

Actually credit Dan Snyder. Everybody knew Denver had to get rid of it but then again everybody knows Dan Snyder will not hesitate to give up a kings ransome for a player he wants. I don't really buy into the whole leverage thing anyway. Teams are going to give up what they feel the player is worth. 25 year old Pro Bowl QBs don't grow on trees.

While debatable, I agree. I am very very high on Rodgers.


The problem is this:

We relied on the fact that the Bears QB sucked. That's why we were better. Is that still the case? I'm glad that their defense took some steps back last season, but I'm worried that may be somewhat helped by their pathetic and inept offense.


And now Orlando Pace? As a Right Tackle? Grrr. I hate the bears!!


They are indeed much improved from a 9-7 season where they just missed the playoffs.

This is what I've never understood. You can't look at a whole number of INTs and say, he throws a lot of picks. He threw 18 INTs but then he also threw over 600 times(a franchise record). His INT% is 2.7% which isn't bad. Brett Favre only threw for 600+ attempts twice in his career and he threw for 18 and 29 INTs. When a QB throws the ball that many times they are going to throw INTs. When you throw 40-50 passes every game you are going to throw picks. Saying a guy throws a lot picks is implying he throws them at a high frequency. That is just not true in Cutler's case.

QBs will always make WRs look better than bad QBs do. Everybody said that Chad Johnson and Housh made Palmer look better than he really is. What happened when Palmer missed the entire season? Both of these guys failed to get 1,000 yards. How good will Eddie Royal and Brandon Marshall look with Orton throwing to them. Pretty good, but not as good as they did last year. Eddie Royal is a rookie WR that caught 90+ passes from Cutler. Good QBs make WRs look good and bad QBs make them look bad. Favre made WRs look really good who then went to other teams and didn't look so good. Its always dicey when judging WRs and QBs. They both compliment each other.

I think this is a nice pickup for the bears... Was holding out hope that he would be on the market long enough for TT to take interest.

Bears add Orlando Pace too. It's a 3 year deal

ok, Cutler is pretty good. If the Bears defense, which is aging a bit, holds up, this makes them real contenders. but 2 firsts?

The Bucs sucked for 5 years after giving up 2 firsts (and winning a quick SB).

Can you say "Hadl" boys and girls?

Everybodies getting better...

I agree. Its debatable whether Rodgers or Cutler is better but the fact is Cutler is better than Orton. Orton led the Bears to a 9-7 record last year. If Cutler is better than Orton then the Bears will be tough to beat. We had a hard enough time beating them with Orton and Grossman. The point is another team in the NFC North actually has a legit QB now. We had the advantage for a long time but don't anymore. If Rodgers is better than Cutler it isn't by much. Cutler is pretty damn good and can pull some tricks out of his sleeve to win games. Something Rodgers hasn't quite shown yet. I'm as big a Rodgers fan as any but Cutler is as good or possibly better than Rodgers. He is more polished. Both are extremely talented but I've seen Cutler prove that he can orchestrate a game-leading drive and put the team on his shoulders. This is the next step for Rodgers. If Rodgers can prove this, then I can safely say he is better than Cutler.

They still have no receivers and no leadership on offense.

I'm of the opinion that fixing the hole at the QB position for any team... very little price is too high. It's just pivotal. Consider how long the bear's have been trying to find that elusive QB.


Even if it takes a few years to recover, the bear's now have their QB for the next decade. That is worth more then they paid.

Cutler IMO is a top 10 QB but do to Cook has let it go to his head. He might be the next QB diva and let it destroy his relationship with his new teammates and wear out his welcome fast. That's what we need to hope for.

Also now I would not be shocked if you would see a trade of Sage Rosenfels or Travis Jackson and a pick for Jason Campbell who can not be happy that the Skins where trying to trade him and now might want out himself. That could make the Vikings more dangerous as Campbell would be better then anything the Vikings have.

The Bears gave up a lot including what they are going to have to give up in a contract but if he pans out it will be worth it. Question is can the Bears get him and good young WR's and/or can Cutler be Favre and turn average WR's into pro bowl looking WR's?

I can only imagine the temper tantrum Danny Schneider must be having right now.

Great pick up for the bears. Cutler is definitely worth the risk. However, Losing two first round picks and a third round pick will have consequences. Gosh I'm glad Green Bay didn't have to make a deal like this to get a good QB. Thanks again Ted!

Denver got a lot for him but I think it was foolish to let him get away. By saying foolish I am being nice! Like another poster said I could really see Denver now trying get a QB in the draft. Orton won't do much for them.



http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/9409280...-Orton?MSNHPHMA

Hadl was 34, Cutler is 25. Chicago may have its franchise QB through 2020. That's scary.

i dunno, McDaniels seems pretty confident in his ability to mold QBs into his system. plus he's coming from a team where a 6th rounder and a 7th rounder proved they can thrive. i wouldn't be too surprised if they try to win with Orton/Simms/late rounder.

but, like many here, i would love to see them throw some picks our way for moving down a few spots.

If Sanchez falls to #9, Denver can trade up using their #12 pick and the 3rd rounder they got from Chicago. The numbers work on the trade chart, and we would still get a very good player. I wouldn't want to trade down more, but three spots might be a great move.

The NFC North just got a lot better.

I'm excited. If you want to be the best, you need to beat the best. I like the fact that the NFC north is better.

Just think NBC is wetting themselves right now Cutler and the Bears vs Aaron Rodgers and the Packers opening Sunday night football at Lambeau.

"NOT SO FAST MY FRIEND"(- Lee Corso), if (and that is a big if) Sanchez is on the board at #9, the Packers wil get more then a 3rd. The Jets, Bucs and Broncos will want to move up to that spot and keep the 49ers away from Sanchez. Thompson knows this and would get "what he wants". I could see both 1st rounders this year or #12 and a 1st rounder next year.

The Packers may benefit more then what people think.....I can't wait until draft day!!!!!

Id rather just walk off with the division crown.

The Bears can have the divison for all I care as long as the packers win the SB.

I agree with others that it is an excellent acquisition for Chicago. He didn't make the Pro bowl nothing. He is talented and still can improve on his game. The North might have two pro bowlers at Q.B for quite a few years to come. Good for our rivalry.

Terms

Denver receives from Chicago
QB Kyle Orton
2009 first-round pick (18th overall)
2010 first-round pick
2009 third-round pick



Chicago receives from the Broncos
QB Jay Cutler
2009 fifth-round pick

The Bears can have him. I have heard there are plenty of Off Field issues with Cutler that kept many teams from even trying to get him. Add that drama queen to the Bears, and see what happens. They don't scare me any more than they did yesterday. Now, if he went to the Vikings...that would've been catastrophic.

Agree. The best will come in the playoffs.

My basset threw up on me this morning and this day has gone down hill from there.

Just think if something happens to the Bears and they end up with a top 5 pick in 2010. The laughter from Denver would be heard all the way to Chicago.

I don't like it...but at least our 'new' defense will be tested against a very good QB. This scotch is to hoping we can get some pressure on the QB...

I think some of you guys are taking this way to lightly.

People have to also remember Brandon Marshall, Eddie Royale, Tony Schaffler, and Denvers offensive line isnt coming to Chicago with him.

His number one target is a KR. He only has Olsen and Forte to help him. Plus Cutler made some bad choice behind a great oline just think what he will do behind Chicago's line.

Its a little scary because a divison rival just made a big move. But remember Vikings did it with Allen last year, did they get a SB out of it? No. Are they better today than yesturday? Sure but they still have alot of needs and alot least draft picks to fill them. So unless Cutler is the next Elway he will be hard pressed to do it by himself.

Either way it makes the NFC North more fun. And maybe Packer Bear games will get more hype now.

Cutler does give them an instant improvement. But, obviously McDaniels must not have seen him as a top ten qb, if they were trying to land Cassel. That has a lot to do with there ties in New England, but noone would even consider trading a young top ten qb in this league....so denver must not have felt that way. I worry about Hester suddenly as a receiver now, but at least they still have Ron Turner as offensive coordinator.