Bears Reach Deal to Acquire Jay Cutler

Jay Cutler is headed to Chicago. According to the Broncos' official website, Denver has agreed in principle to trade Cutler to the Bears. The Chicago Sun-Times is reporting that the Bears will send the Broncos their 2009 and 2010 first-round picks, a 2009 third-rounder and Kyle Orton in exchange for their first real quarterback since Erik Kramer threw for nearly 4,000 yards in 1995. The Bears also receive a 2009 fifth-round pick from Denver.

FanHouse's Dan Graziano on Cutler: Big Baby Brings Big Arm to Chicago

More Coverage: Bears Also Add Orlando Pace
Fantasy Impact: Cutler's Value Down, Hester's Skyrockets

"This came up unexpectedly," Bears general manager Jerry Angelo said. "We looked into it. We just felt like in our best interest looking now and in the future, we can't minimize the importance of the position."

The Bears, two years removed from the Super Bowl with Rex Grossman under center, now become prohibitive favorites in the NFC North.

Chicago wide receiver Devin Hester, while appearing on Sporting News Radio's The Monty Show praised Angelo for landing Cutler.

"I feel like Jerry and those guys are really making big steps and they're going out and doing whatever it takes, and they're shocking me because they're making big moves and things that you know we've been striving for to get back to being a Super Bowl team," Hester said. "The moves that they're making are incredible and we're striving to be a Super Bowl team."

Linebacker Brian Urlacher expressed a much more reserved reaction to the Chicago Tribune, saying, "I guess the Bears felt like we needed another quarterback, so they made a move. They gave up a lot. Cutler must be pretty good."

Urlacher did empathize with Cutler's falling out in Denver, though, according to the Tribune: "I would be ticked off too if someone was trying to trade me and didn't tell me about it."

Jay Cutler Snapshots

** FILE ** In this Dec. 30, 2007, file photo, Denver Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler prepares to take the snap from center against the Minnesota Vikings in an NFL football game in Denver. The Broncos said Tuesday, March 31, 2009, they will grant Cutler his request and try to trade the disgruntled Pro Bowl quarterback. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

** FILE ** In this Nov. 30, 2008, file photo, Denver Broncos quaterback Jay Cutler looks for a receiver during an NFL football game against the New York Jets in East Rutherford, N.J. Broncos coach Josh McDaniels is still waiting for Cutler to call him so they can try to work things out one last time. Cutler is in Nashville, Tenn., waiting for a phone call telling him the Broncos have heeded his request for a trade that he made Sunday, March 16, through his agent, Bus Cook. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun, File)

DENVER - MARCH 16: A fan holds a sign for the controversy between Josh McDaniels and Jay Cutler of the Denver Broncos during the Denver Nuggets v the New Jersey Nets on March 16, 2009 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Josh McDaniels;Jay Cutler

NBAE/Getty Images

** FILE ** At left, in a Jan. 12, 2009 file photo, Denver Broncos coach Josh McDaniels listens during a news conference in Englewood, Colo. At right, in an Oct. 5, 2008 file photo, Denver Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler looks on against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during an NFL football game in Denver. The rocky relationship that sprung out of new Denver Broncos boss Josh McDaniels' efforts to trade Pro Bowler Jay Cutler might actually foster growth in both men's careers, providing this spat doesn't end in an ugly divorce first. (AP Photo/File)

HONOLULU, HI - FEBRUARY 08: Quarterback Jay Cutler #6 of the AFC All-Stars Denver Broncos throws a pass against the NFC All-Stars in the 2009 NFL Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium on February 8, 2009 in Honolulu, Hawaii. The NFC defeated the AFC 30-21. (Photo by Paul Spinelli/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jay Cutler

Getty Images

SAN DIEGO - DECEMBER 28: Quarterback Jay Cutler #6 of the Denver Broncos grabs his right arm after throwing a pass against the San Diego Chargers during the NFL game at Qualcomm Stadium on December 28, 2008 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jay Cutler

Getty Images

SAN DIEGO - DECEMBER 28: Quarterback Jay Cutler #6 of the Denver Broncos throws a pass against the San Diego Chargers during the NFL game at Qualcomm Stadium on December 28, 2008 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jay Cutler

Getty Images

DENVER - DECEMBER 21: Quarterback Jay Cutler #6 of the Denver Broncos drops back to pass against the Buffalo Bills during NFL action at Invesco Field at Mile High on December 21, 2008 in Denver, Colorado. Cutler passed for 351 yards as the Bills defeated the Broncos 30-23. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jay Cutler

Getty Images

DENVER - DECEMBER 21: Quarterback Jay Cutler #6 of the Denver Broncos drops back to pass against the Buffalo Bills during NFL action at Invesco Field at Mile High on December 21, 2008 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jay Cutler

Getty Images

CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 14: Jay Cutler #6 of the Denver Broncos walks off the field after the Carolina Panthers defeated them 30-10 during their game at Bank of America Stadium on December 14, 2008 in Charlotte, North Carolina (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jay Cutler

Getty Images

The Broncos, meanwhile, now have enough draft picks -- in addition to the 12th selection, they now slide into the 18th and either the 84th or 99th slots -- to make a move for Matt Stafford or Mark Sanchez, assuming they're interested in either. (Michael Lombardi thinks Sanchez could be their guy).

In the meantime, Denver has Chris Simms and Orton, both former NFL starters who are probably better suited in backup roles.

As for the other teams allegedly in the Cutler Sweepstakes: the Jets are still stuck with Kellen Clemens, the Browns will have to be content with Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson, the Lions -- early favorites in all this -- can re-pencil Daunte Culpepper's name atop the depth chart (It sounds like they didn't want Cutler, presumably in much the same way you decide you didn't want your girlfriend 15 minutes after she dumps you), and it looks like Dan Snyder will have some fence-mending in his future.

Cutler, who will be 26 on April 29, is six months younger than Orton. He's also got three years remaining on the rookie contract he signed in 2006, although there's no way he doesn't get a handsome raise at some point in the near future. He threw for 4,526 yards, 26 touchdowns and 18 interceptions last season. After taking over the Broncos' starting quarterback spot in Week 13 of 2006, Cutler made 37 consecutive starts, compiling a record of 17-20.

Oh, and special thanks to Jay for throwing a monkey wrench in our FanHouse mock draft. Much appreciated, sir.