Jay Cutler is a Chicago Bear. I said it. I can’t believe it. This was a pipedream. All I wanted to hear was that the Bears expressed their interest and were on the phones trying to make an offer. I did not even fathom the idea that they could actually land a franchise quarterback. General Manager Jerry Angelo not only called the Broncos, but pulled the trigger on a massive blockbuster trade, acquiring the Pro Bowl QB from Denver.
On first analysis, what the Bears sent to Denver could seem like a king’s ransom, but on a closer look, the Bears didn’t give away all that much. Here’s how the trade breaks down:
Denver receives:
Bears’ 1st round selection in 2009 (18th overall)
3rd round selection in 2009 (84th overall)
1st round selection in 2010
QB Kyle Orton
Chicago receives:
QB Jay Cutler
Broncos’ 5th round selection in 2009 (140th overall)
Obviously the two first round picks hold a ton of value in the NFL, but that was going to be the starting bid for Cutler according to Denver’s front office. Adding Kyle Orton was a no-brainer, especially if Denver actually placed any value on him. Orton couldn’t stay here and be relegated to a back-up position again after all he’s been through for the organization. Sending that third round pick seems like overkill, but don’t forget the Bears were awarded an additional third round compensatory draft pick (number 99 overall) only a few weeks ago. That pick gave Angelo the flexibility to include his original third-rounder in the deal and outbid every other suitor. When the rumors surfaced that the Washington Redskins were getting involved when they have a solid talent at QB in Jason Campbell, I just assumed they’d win out. Jerry Angelo could never outbid Dan Snyder… could he? This deal proves that new Denver head coach Josh McDaniels liked Orton better than Campbell, which is a shock to me. McDaniels, the former quarterbacks coach for the New England Patriots, places a lot of stock in system quarterbacks, which Orton obviously is, judging from his days at Purdue.
For Denver, this trade relieves the stress of the Cutler drama, but places McDaniels on the hot seat with the fans before he ever coaches a game. He managed to run their franchise quarterback out of town just as he was hitting his prime. Still, with Orton and Chris Simms and plenty of free agents out there as well as numerous draft picks to trade, he has options at the position. Denver’s defense was porous last season, so I would use all of those high picks (they have 5 in the first 3 rounds) to shore up that unit and make do with Orton and Simms.
About 45 minutes to an hour later, news broke that Chicago also signed the definite Hall of Fame left tackle Orlando Pace to a three-year contract worth about 15 million dollars. Pace is getting older and had injury issues the past two seasons, but when healthy he is a definite upgrade to an already revamped offensive line. Pace will likely start at left tackle, shifting last year’s first round pick Chris Williams over to right tackle where he could battle with newly signed Kevin Shaffer. Frank Omiyale, the Bears’ first move in free agency, will probably slide to right guard alongside Pro Bowl center Olin Kreutz and left guard Roberto Garza. Chicago has established depth along the offensive line, which was a primary objective of the off-season. Now Angelo should take a closer look at recently released Torry Holt and gauge his interest in joining the new-look Bears. He will surely use his second round selection in the upcoming draft on a receiver and the compensatory pick on an offensive lineman. Second year receiver Earl Bennett (also Chris Williams) was Cutler’s teammate at Vanderbilt and enjoyed tremendous success alongside the talented QB. Matt Forte will take pressure off Cutler early on, allowing him to find cohesiveness with his wide-outs. Greg Olsen will have a break-out season with Cutler. Count on it.
In Chicago, fans no longer need to worry about who will be under center. No more carefully examining the pre-season outings in the midst of a quarterback battle. Jay Cutler is 25 years old and a surefire NFL talent entering his fourth year. He’s going to be around for quite a while. Bears fans rejoice. We have a quarterback.
Check back soon for my Chicago Bears 2009 Draft Preview!
