http://blogs.suntimes.com/bears/2009/03 ... ng_cu.html Report: Bears could be among Cutler's top 2 choices in trade scenario
It has reached the point where it's hard to believe the Jay Cutler saga will not be resolved until the quarterback receives a new contract.
From the Denver Broncos or from a team the Broncos trade him to because right now this storyline looks like it will be as everlasting as the Brett Favre mess a year ago.
Mike Klis of the Denver Post reports that Broncos owner Pat Bowlen has even come to terms with the fact that the Broncos could be moving forward without their quarterback, who reached a Pro Bowl after just his second full season starting in the league. This, after a face-to-face meeting at the team's headquarters in which no progress was made between Cutler and new head coach Josh McDaniels, who had hoped to acquire Matt Cassel in a trade last month.
"I'm very disappointed," Bowlen said Sunday. "I'm disappointed in the whole picture, not just disappointed that we might lose our star quarterback."
Klis speculates that the Bears could be among Cutler's top two choices along with Tennessee, which recently re-signed Kerry Collins. Klis seems to have been nailing accurate information throughout this process, and he hits the list of all clubs seemingly in the market for a passer, including the Bears' NFC North rivals in Detroit and Minnesota.
"If Cutler is dealt, his preferences figure to be the Tennessee Titans, who play in Nashville, or the Chicago Bears, his favorite childhood team who would seem to be in need of a quarterback upgrade. Other possibilities could be Cleveland, whose coach, Eric Mangini, was formerly McDaniels' colleague on Bill Belichick's staff in New England; Tampa Bay; Minnesota; Detroit and Arizona."
Bears general manager Jerry Angelo and coach Lovie Smith have just about fallen over themselves professing their confidence in Kyle Orton ever since Angelo's press conference two days after the season ended. Just remember, that confidence only goes so far. The Bears don't have enough to extend Orton with a longterm contract. Not now, any way. Whether the Bears would be serious players for Cutler if the Broncos seek to end the madness with a divorce, it's impossible to say right now. What can be said is any effort to land Cutler would be--by far--the boldest move Angelo has made in nearly eight years on the job.
We're still not convinced things can't be mended in Denver with, what else, some green stuff. Cash. Cutler put one of his homes up for sale. His folks did the same thing with a home they have in the area. Reports say Cutler was looking to sell for some time and putting a house on the market in the dead of winter isn't the brightest move from a realty standpoint. Maybe that is why he waited until now. And keep in mind, the Bears have seen a for sale sign go up on a house before. That was one of the final negotiating ploys by running back Cedric Benson in 2005 before his five-week holdout was resolved. For sale signs can come down just as easily as they go up.
Stay tuned.
