And the Denver/Chicago Trade Winner is...

With the Denver Broncos and Chicago Bears agreeing on a trade that centers around Jay Cutler, instant analysis and snap judgments are made about who won the deal. The answer is inconclusive. And it's not as simple as choosing the Bears or Broncos. In reality, sports trades aren't absolutes, especially when they involve draft picks teams try to turn into productive players.

Not only could Denver or Chicago come out as the winner, they both could. Or they could both lose. What if Jay Cutler blows out a knee or suffers a string of concussions? Chicago loses. What if Denver turns the plethora of picks into new versions of Ryan Leaf, Tony Mandarich, and Brian Bosworth? The truth is their are too many variables and what-if scenarios to determine a clear-cut winner less than 24 hours after the deal went down.

But it is a publicity seller and ratings grabber. That's why papers and sports broadcasts do it. I can't blame them.

But keep this in mind as the 2009, 2010, and even 2011 season passes. We won't truly know who came out on top until March 2012, three years from now. Then Cutler will have played three seasons in the Windy City. Then Denver's draft choices will have had two or three seasons to make an impact. To know who the real winner is you'll have to wait.

The envelope, please...

New Draft Tek Mock Accounts for Cutler-to-Chicago Trade

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BREAKING - Cutler Dealt to Chicago

A team that has refused to find a star QB of late has just landed one. Reports on what exactly the Bears gave up are conflicting. John Clayton of ESPN says Denver sent Cutler and their 3rd round pick to Chicago for the Bears 1st rounders in 2009 and 2010 plus QB Kyle Orton. However, Jay Glazer of Fox Sports say Denver received Orton, the two first round picks, and Chicago's third round selection this year while the Bears got Cutler and Denver's fifth round pick. If Clayton got the trade right then it seems that Chicago made out nicely. If Glazer's report is right, Denver certainly wins.

I did have Chicago on my list of teams interested in Cutler but they were not one of my top destinations.

Thankfully I don't update my mock until Monday. I'll have this accounted for obviously. It'll shake things up!

UPDATE (5:57 PM) - ESPN has edited Clayton's original story. The report now agrees with Glazer. Chicago needs to have a stellar year or Denver won this deal. Two 1sts, a 3rd, and an established QB? Wow.

UPDATE (6:16 PM) - The Bears aren't done! They also agreed to terms with veteran free agent OT Orlando Pace.