Chiefs Should Make a Play For Cutler

I'm going to be unabashed here in my belief that the Chiefs would do well to quietly go after Jay Cutler. When I say quietly, the emphasis is on avoiding a Broncos-esque PR disaster that leads Chiefs brass into an uncomfortable situation with recently acquired QB Matt Cassel. Before you remind me of everything that is wrong with Jay Cutler and exploring a trade for him, (crybaby, egomaniac, quitter, pretty boy...I know) at least listen to some very sound reasons why it wouldn't be the worst idea in the world.

For starters, I'm not afraid to admit, I actually like Cutler as a football player. He is an above average quarterback bordering on elite who, at age 25, has just completed his best year as a pro. It was his first full season since being diagnosed with diabetes and his performance came despite seven Broncos running backs ending the season on IR. The defense was horrific. Mike Shanahan was on the verge of being fired. It was a tough end to a season full of expectations.

But Cutler emerged as the team leader, often playing from behind and never selling out his over-exposed defense. He made the Pro Bowl, throwing for over 4,000 yards. He did more than any young quarterback should ever be asked to do. And yet Shanahan was fired after the disappointing season. Hotshot Patriots coordinator Josh McDaniels was chosen as his successor. McDaniels assured Cutler that he was the teams quarterback of the present and future. He then, like clockwork, informed offensive coordinator and Cutler confidant Jeremy Bates that he was no longer in Denver's plans. Some would say this was a great way to alienate your best player and team leader, but Cutler handled it relatively well. What he didn't handle so well was when the team, mere weeks after assuring him he was their man, swung hard and missed on former New England Patriots and current Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel. Tell me, what Pro Bowl quarterback would take that news well?

So, you say, boo hoo. And I agree. I'm not shedding any tears for Cutler. But this fiasco may well turn into an opportunity for the Chiefs, if they are so inclined. The Chiefs have a luxury that not one other team in the NFL can claim: they have the quarterback that the Denver Broncos covet. Think about it. This could make for some fantastic bargaining leverage. Some people say that the Broncos would never trade Cutler to a division rival. And normally I would concur. But the wild card is Cassel. This is the Broncos guy. Acquiring him would solve this whole controversy.

Owner Pat Bowlen's announcement that Cutler will be traded further complicates things for the team. Every team in the league now knows there is no turning back. Furthermore, the Broncos will need a new starting quarterback in any deal that they make. So why not go for the guy they wanted in the first place? Because the Chiefs have all of that highly sought leverage, they could potentially trade the quarterbacks even up and ditch the 14 million dollars guaranteed to Cassel by franchise-tagging him this season. If they wanted to push their luck, they might be able to coerce a late round pick out of them too, just to prove they won the deal. And what, you wonder, is the financial obligation to Cutler? I never thought you'd ask. He makes a whopping 1.035 million this season, and 5.4225 mil next season, including incentives. That's less money than a one year commitment to Cassel.

Right now the Chiefs are holding all the cards if they choose to jump into the bidding for Cutler. But you have to get in the game to win big.