Jay Cutler Signs Contract Extension, Kyle Orton Simply Wins Games

First thing I thought upon reading that Jay Cutler had signed a two-year extension with the Chicago Bears that inks him through the 2013 season: This situation just became impossibly rich.

Think about it. The Bears traded Kyle Orton, two first round picks and a third-rounder to the Denver Broncos for Cutler, who had a falling out with incoming head coach Josh McDaniels. Let’s also remember Cutler has a reputation as a crybaby with a big arm who never really won anything in Denver.

But yet the Bears think he’s a franchise quarterback. OK. Whatever. Maybe he will be. In time.

The Bears are 3-2 this season. Cutler is completing 64 percent of his passes with 10 touchdowns, seven interceptions and a 86.9 passer rating. He has, reportedly, thrown teammates under the bus. The guy is a tool.

Then we have Kyle Orton. His Broncos are 6-0 behind and improved defense and the fine system McDaniels has implemented on offense. Orton is completing 63.9 percent of his passes with nine touchdowns, one interception and a 100.1 passer rating.

McDaniels has gone so far as to say the Bears castaway is just about a perfect fits for what they’re doing on offense. Cool.

Now I’m not here to tell you this trade is a done deal win for the Broncos. Maybe it is. Time will tell. But any time you get all those draft picks AND a quarterback capable of performing at that high a level it’s one fine trade.

Will Cutler develop into John Elway and lead the Bears to a Super Bowl? Maybe. The way Orton is playing it looks like he could help the Broncos there this year.

And consider this: A lot of Bears fans said good riddance to Orton and rejoiced at the trade. Fine. Change is good. Let’s just remember that Orton had no receivers (just like Cutler in Chicago now I suppose) and as a Bear his record was 21-12. That’s a .636 winning percentage.

But yeah, Bears fans, you’re right, he was terrible.