NFL Trade Verdict

Denver Broncos Win

Denver moved Jay Cutler and a fifth-round pick to Chicago after the quarterback relationship deteriorated, receiving Kyle Orton and a package that included two first-round picks and a third-rounder. Denver wrung strong value from an untenable quarterback situation. Cutler gave Chicago legitimate starting-caliber play but never became the franchise-elevating answer the Bears hoped for, while Denver extracted Kyle Orton and multiple premium picks from a broken relationship. The Broncos did not perfectly convert every asset, but the trade return itself was substantial enough to favor Denver in hindsight.

April 3, 2009 Denver BroncosChicago Bears Confidence: high Tier: major

Denver Broncos Received

Chicago Bears Received

Trade Summary

Denver moved Jay Cutler and a fifth-round pick to Chicago after the quarterback relationship deteriorated, receiving Kyle Orton and a package that included two first-round picks and a third-rounder. Denver wrung strong value from an untenable quarterback situation. Cutler gave Chicago legitimate starting-caliber play but never became the franchise-elevating answer the Bears hoped for, while Denver extracted Kyle Orton and multiple premium picks from a broken relationship. The Broncos did not perfectly convert every asset, but the trade return itself was substantial enough to favor Denver in hindsight.

Trade Analysis

Denver moved Jay Cutler and a fifth-round pick to Chicago after the quarterback relationship deteriorated, receiving Kyle Orton and a package that included two first-round picks and a third-rounder. Denver wrung strong value from an untenable quarterback situation. Cutler gave Chicago legitimate starting-caliber play but never became the franchise-elevating answer the Bears hoped for, while Denver extracted Kyle Orton and multiple premium picks from a broken relationship. The Broncos did not perfectly convert every asset, but the trade return itself was substantial enough to favor Denver in hindsight. Chicago Bears received Jay Cutler and 2009 5th round pick (140th overall, Johnny Knox) and gave up Kyle Orton, 2009 1st round pick (18th overall, Robert Ayers), 2009 3rd round pick (84th overall subsequently traded, Mike Wallace) and 2010 1st round pick (11th overall subsequently traded, Anthony Davis).