Let The Cutler Sweepstakes Begin

Considering that Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen has finally had enough of the Jay Cutler saga, we can now focus on the immediate future of the 25-year-old Pro Bowl QB — and try to figure out where he’s going to play next season.

Today, I’ll list the candidates who have been mentioned at some point in the Cutler Sweepstakes this offseason, as well as the destinations I believe would be the best fit.

THE CANDIDATES

1. Cleveland Browns: Why the Browns? For starters, they have a new coach in Eric Mangini, who has no allegiance to any holdovers from last season’s roster. Second, the Browns have two quarterbacks — Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson — who have starting experience in the NFL. Plus, they own the No. 5 pick in the first round. There’s a lot to offer here.

2. Washington Redskins: Not that this should surprise anyone since owner Dan Snyder is always looking to upgrade his roster — even with Jason Campbell under contract. According to the Denver Post, the Redskins are one of the leading teams to put together a deal that would get Cutler in a ‘Skins uniform. Washington owns the No. 13 pick in the first round.

3. New York Jets: The Jets would have to be a major player in any Cutler talk because they don’t have a proven quarterback on the roster. When you look in the huddle this spring and see Kellen Clemens or Brett Ratliff, you’ll understand why they’ll at least give the Broncos a call. Any offer from New York is going to take multiple draft picks.

4. Detroit Lions: The Lions own the Nos. 1 and 21 picks in the draft. Lots to offer and a huge need for a signal caller in the Motor City. You want to talk about a move that could shake up the draft? This is it.  Cutler gets a new team, and Detroit gets a franchise QB. What’s not to like?

5. Chicago Bears: Hey, why not? Chicago hasn’t had a QB the fans believed in since Jim McMahon in 1985. Yes, the Bears have Kyle Orton under contract next season, but it doesn’t mean the idea of making a move for Cutler shouldn’t be considered. Whenever you have a chance to upgrade the QB position in this league, you do it. Chicago has the No. 18 pick in the first round, but would have to give up more — most likely a third and possibly a late-round pick as well.

6. Minnesota Vikings: I throw the Vikings in here because they were the first team to actually call and make an offer for Cutler before the circus started between the QB and head coach Josh McDaniels. They signed Sage Rosenfels to a free-agent deal, but how many of us think he’s a better option than Cutler?

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tampa was originally involved in the reported three-way deal with the Patriots and Broncos that would have sent Cutler to Tampa — and McDaniels would have gotten his man in QB Matt Cassel. We all know what happened next.

8. San Francisco 49ers: A sleeper in this list of teams, but a desperate team at the quarterback position. Might be worth exploring since they own the No. 10 pick in the first round and coach Mike Singletary continues to change the face of the franchise.

9. Jacksonville Jaguars: There’s a reason quarterbacks Matthew Stafford and Mark Sanchez continue to be linked with the Jags and the No. 8 pick, and here’s an opportunity to get a guy they can start in September. What does this say about current starter David Garrard?  

10. Carolina Panthers: We all know that Jake Delhomme didn’t play up to NFL standards in the playoffs and had some rough Sundays during the regular season as well. Plus, the Panthers have a name player in Julius Peppers — that could draw some interest from Denver, which needs talent on defense.

WHERE CUTLER SHOULD GO

1. Cleveland: This is the No. 1 landing spot for Cutler in my opinion because it makes the most sense for both teams. Quinn goes to Denver and competes with Chris Simms to be the starter, while Cutler walks into Cleveland with a new coach who actually wants him. My early money is on the Browns.

2. Detroit: The Lions may have the most to offer in terms of draft picks, but they can’t hand over a QB to the Broncos like Cleveland can. In a perfect world, Detroit would land Cutler and draft some needed help along the offensive and defensive lines, but this can only happen if the Broncos want to go into September with Chris Simms under center.

3. Chicago: Orton has been the next name in a line among many who have held the quarterback job in Chicago, but that doesn’t mean he can win you a championship. Cutler would instantly give the Bears a chance at the NFC North title and probably puts Orton where he belongs — on the sideline as a back-up. It all depends on what the Bears are willing to give up, and since they’re a team that tries to build through the draft, it’s going to be difficult. But this is a rare opportunity.

4. New York: I think this ultimately might be the best landing spot for Cutler — if he wants to win — since the Jets seem to have the best all-around football team on the list, minus the quarterback position. It’s going to come down to what the Jets are willing to give up, and whether McDaniels is willing to deal a quarterback to the same division as Bill Belichick and the Patriots. That might be the major sticking point. Plus, they play in the AFC.

5. Minnesota: Forget about the Rosenfels deal, or the fact that Tarvaris Jackson is also on the roster, because the Vikings and their fans believe they’re one good quarterback away from winning a Super Bowl. There was a reason they were involved in the Brett Favre talks last season — because they wanted to upgrade the position. Cutler and Adrian Peterson? Sounds like five-plus years of dominance in the NFC North.

6. Carolina: The Panthers would become immediate NFC favorites with Cutler under center. They would also solve their own QB issues for the next decade and could finally unload Peppers, who doesn’t want to be there in the first place. Use the money it would cost to re-sign Peppers and give a nice contract to your new QB.

WHERE CUTLER SHOULDN’T GO

1. San Francisco: Although I love Singletary and the youth on this team, I don’t see the Niners giving up multiple draft picks for Cutler. They have some needs on the defensive side of the ball, and giving up draft picks rather than adding good, young defensive talent would be tough to pull off. They pass for now, in my mind.

2. Jacksonville: Garrard can still play and still start — even if this might be his last season in Jacksonville to prove it. The Jags can draft a rookie at No. 8 and groom him while they add some receiver help later in the draft and let Garrard prove he’s still worth the big contract he signed. Another AFC team? If I’m the Broncos, I don’t want to see Cutler in the same conference.

3. Washington: This depends on how you view current starter Jason Campbell. Can he progress in his second season under head coach Jim Zorn, or is his run in D.C. over? I think the ‘Skins should stick with Campbell and save some draft picks they can use for once — and put some talent around Campbell and on the defensive side of the ball. This team is good and doesn’t need to bring in another QB — yet.

4. Tampa: I know Tampa was part of the original deal that turned the offseason in Denver into a soap opera, but I don’t like the idea of Tampa -- which just released a boatload of veterans -- giving up valuable draft picks to get Cutler. Yes, he’s an upgrade over Luke McCown, but at what price on a roster that needs young talent?

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