A Cutler-McNabb Swap Could Be The Best Move

A few years ago, one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the game became a regular headline in NFL news. Jay Cutler, then the quarterback of the Denver Broncos, was unhappy with the organization's decision to cut ties with head coach Mike Shanahan. The result: a trade to the quarterback-starved Chicago Bears for a blockbuster deal, including multiple draft picks and Kyle Orton, who succeeded Cutler in Denver.

While playing for Da Bears, Cutler continues to find himself among the daily headlines. No, it's not because he has finally emerged as the prolific passer the Chicago fans have been long awaiting. Instead, Cutler finds himself on the list of most disappointing sports figures in the city.

In 22 games with the Bears, Cutler's stat line reads 34 touchdown passes and 33 interceptions -- not exactly what the team thought they were getting when they traded the house to attain him. 

 source: Chicagonow.com

While franchise (or who we think are franchise) quarterback trades are not the reg in the NFL, we saw a somewhat similar trade go down last offseason when the Philadelphia Eagles traded their 11-year starter to a divisional rival for a second-round draft pick.

In Philly, McNabb led his team to multiple NFC Championship Games and one Super Bowl, in which he fell to the decade's dynasty, the New England Patriots. And while much has been made about McNabb's success with the Eagles, an equal amount has been devoted to him hitting a wall.

McNabb's move to the Washington Redskins came due to the organization's move to bring in two-time Super Bowl-winning coach Mike Shanahan, who is notorious for developing quarterbacks. 

 source: NYdailynews.com

But yeah, we both know these stories -- what gives? Despite a hot start by the Bears in 2010, Cutlers' Bears have suddenly fallen back to reality. Many expected Cutler to thrive in a Mike Martz-coordinated offense, but so far that has not been the case. Cuter is inclined to turning the ball over, and that just does not sit well in a game plan that focuses on throwing that many times during a game. And the last time Martz had success with this offense -- the St. Louis Rams and the Greatest Show on Turf -- had the likes of Hall of Famers Marshall  Faulk, Torry Holt, Isaac Bruce and Kurt Warner.  Last time I checked, Cutler is no Kurt Warner. Johnny Knox, Devin Hester and Matt Forte...need I say more?

McNabb, on the other hand, was brought in to ignite a Redskins offense that ranked among the league's worse in 2009. While the team has improved to 4-4 this year, they sport just 20th-ranked offense, two spots better than when the offense was led by Jason Campbell. Their passing attack ranks right in the middle of the pack in the NFL.

So neither big move has had the effect that everyone wanted or expected them to have. The Bears and Skins both straddle that thin line of pretenders versus contenders in the league this year, both standing in the middle of their division races. But how much confidence can you have in the Bears with Cutler throwing interceptions in an attempt to get the ball out while defensive ends are jumping down his throat? And how do you expect the Skins to fare if the head coach thinks Rex Grossman gives his team the best shot to win with two minutes remaining in a close game against the Lions?

But as I mentioned earlier, there are some relationships that can still be revisited. Cutler thrived under Shanahan's tutelage in Denver, and if he favors Grossman over McNabb when the game in on the line, how inclined do you believe Daniel Snyder is to award McNabb a new deal when his contract expires at the conclusion of the season?

What's more interesting is McNabb helms from a little town where polish sausage is infamous, and they root for a little team called Da Bears. Every year, with the Philadelphia Eagles, trade speculation identified the Chicagoan roots as a possible reason to why McNabb would join the Bears, perhaps emerging as the quarterback they have always wanted and have continued to be live without (to this day).

All of the pieces to the puzzle are there, and yet another change of scenery for the two quarterbacks may be the best move of all. Let Shanny and Cutler reunite and recreate the magic they started with the Broncos; let McNabb run the Bears offense -- he clearly cannot thrive where he is not comfortable.