McJay Gate Nearing End?

The Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen announced today after days of QB Jay Cutler not returning phone calls and speaking with Cutler's agent Bus Cook that Jay no longer has any desire to be a Bronco.

Bowlen said, "We will begin discussions with other teams in an effort to accommodate his request to be traded."

The feud between the Broncos and Cutler has filled the headlines much of the off season. The feud started when the Broncos fired Mike Shanahan. Former Patriots coach Josh McDaniels was hired. McDaniels was responsible for making Matt Cassell into a quality starter this past season. Cassell new McDaniels offense and McDaniels pursued a trade for him that would have sent Jay Cutler to Tampa Bay and Cassell to Denver. Following this Jay Cutler demanded a trade. After weeks of trying to repair the damage with the disgruntled QB Broncos owner and Josh McDaniels decided they would listen to offers.

During his short career Jay Cutler has gotten a reputation as a cry baby and being too confident or cocky. His verbal sparring with rival Chargers QB Phillip Rivers made both QB's look immature. Cutler also boasted about having a stronger arm than John Elway. For a guy that went to Vanderbilt in college he has clearly let the little fame he has achieved go to his head. He needs to be brought back to reality.

Reality shows Jay Cutler has thrown 32 interceptions the last two seasons. His pro bowl season was thanks to increased passing thanks to the Broncos lack of a running game. As many know the QB is gonna get alot of blame when a team fails. So he can be part of the blame for the Broncos losing a 3 game lead with 3 games left in the season and missing the playoffs. One can also look to this as why Mike Shanahan has no job anymore. Cutler also doesn't have a track record as a winner. During his career at Vanderbilt he compiled an 11-35 record. In three seasons with the Broncos he is 17-20.

So where could Cutler end up is the big question. ESPN reports there are no shortage of teams interested in Jay Cutler. Three teams have come up in rumors as of late. The Detroit Lions, New York Jets, and Chicago Bears.

The Lions have said they would be willing to talk with Denver about trading the #1 pick. This deal would allow the Broncos several options. Options #1 would be to draft Matt Stafford. Option #2 is to draft Mark Sanchez. The Redskins have shown interest in Mark Sanchez so a trade with the Redskins could also be possible.

While the Jets have expressed interest safety Kerry Rhodes has said Cutler is too confident. The Jets made news for Thomas Jones and Kerry Rhodes displeasure with another Bus Cook client Brett Farve. The fact that the Jets are a AFC team makes a trade unlikely.

The third team is the Chicago Bears who could probably use Cutler the most but maybe have the least to offer. The Bears have the #18 pick.

If the Broncos don't get Sanchez or Stafford Josh Freeman would be the next logical choice. Who the Broncos would want as QB is still a mystery. I feel Sanchez could be the best fit in McDaniels offense. Stafford just seems like a bust to me. Maybe he'll be good but not a franchise QB. Josh Freeman reminds me too much of Cutler or JaMarcus Russell. He has great size like Russell but isn't a proven winner like Cutler. USC QB's have had great success in the NFL. With McDaniels molding a former USC QB in Matt Cassell into a quality QB he may be interested in doing the same with Sanchez. I expect some light to be shed on this in the next couple days.