Cutler traded to Chicago
By: John Keim
Examiner Staff Writer
April 3, 2009
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| According to an Examiner source, the Redskins are nearing completion of a trade that would bring Broncos QB Jay Cutler to Washington. (Paul Spinelli/Getty Images) |
In the end, Denver did not want Jason Campbell. And that’s why Jay Cutler is headed to Chicago.
According to a source involved in the discussions, the Redskins were closing in on a three-way deal Thursday afternoon that involved Cleveland quarterback Brady Quinn going to Denver. The source said he was told that the deal was likely to happen soon. The Examiner reported that a deal was close. Indeed, a CBS affiliate in Denver also reported that Jay Cutler had told them he was told by his agent that he was going to Washington. ESPN also reported that the Redskins were at the top of the list and a deal could happen at any time.
However, the deal involving the Browns unraveled, prompting Chicago to jump back in and offer a less-complicated deal, knowing the Broncos liked Bears quarterback Kyle Orton. The source said Denver’s preference of quarterbacks was Quinn and then Orton. They were not high on Campbell.
So, rather than do a three-way deal with Washington and another team, the Bears, according to an NFL source, called to offer Orton, two first-round draft picks, and a third-round pick in exchange for Cutler and a fifth-round pick.
“They had the compensation,” another NFL source said of the Redskins. “In the end they chose Orton over Campbell.”
The Redskins had been among a handful of teams interested in Cutler, along with Tampa Bay and the New York Jets. Washington may not be done searching for another quarterback. They recently worked out USC's Mark Sanchez.
Campbell is entering the last year of his contract and the Redskins have not made any movement toward extending his deal. Another NFL source called that a “sure sign” of their thoughts on Campbell.
And they wanted Cutler because he’s a 25-year-old Pro Bowl passer who has a strong arm and is mobile.
“They’re getting a guy that is not in the upper echelon of quarterbacks,” CBS analyst Charley Casserly said. “But he seems to be heading that way.”
