Guessing game on where Cutler would go

Let’s just assume the Broncos are going to trade quarterback Jay Cutler. Where should he go, and what should the Broncos receive as compensation?

For starters, half the league ought to be clamoring for Cutler’s services. Last year, he threw for 25 touchdowns, set a franchise record with 4,526 passing yards and was voted to the Pro Bowl by his peers.

That was the good news. The bad news? Cutler was paired with an awful defense, an injury-riddled running game and as a result couldn’t lead the Broncos into the playoffs — even though the club had three chances to get it done in December.

Worst defense aside, you had a right to expect more from a Broncos offense that produced yards worthy of the league’s No. 2 ranking. The team ranked No. 2 in offensive yards ranked No. 16 in points.

I know, I know, the Broncos’ rushing game was limited by injuries, and without the running game, the Cutler-led offense suffered. OK, jot this down: The Broncos “hobbled” run game still ranked 12th among the league’s 32 teams.

You want to talk about quarterbacks missing a decent running attack? The Pittsburgh Steelers ranked No. 23 in rushing. Ben Roethlisberger helped them win the Super Bowl. The Arizona Cardinals ranked No. 32 in rushing. Kurt Warner led them to the Super Bowl.

The Steelers had an awesome defense. The Cardinals were one of only five teams (the Broncos included) to allow more than 400 points in 2008.

Someone spat out another stat recently, that Cutler has gone 13-1 in his career when the Broncos hold an opponent to 21 points or fewer. OK.

Matt Cassel, forced into a starting role for New England last year after Tom Brady went down with a season-ending injury, went 9-1 in games the Patriots held their opponents to 21 points or fewer.

My point is, just about any quarterback who plays behind a solid offense line and is paired with a decent run game and reliable receivers is likely to help produce wins if the opponent scores 21 points or fewer.

This isn’t to say Cassel is better than Cutler. But he might’ve put up similar numbers to Cutler if his offensive line in New England had been as solid as the wall Denver’s line constructed last season.

But Cassel, to the dismay of Broncos coach Josh McDaniels, has his starting gig in Kansas City. Cutler, who has issues with McDaniels, says he wants to play some place other than Denver.

So let’s spin the travel wheel.

Here are five scenarios, in no particular order of importance, that I believe will best benefit Cutler, his new team and the Broncos.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS: They made the playoffs last year with no stability at the quarterback position. Imagine Cutler in the same backfield as Adrian Peterson. It would be a devastating combination — like the Broncos’ glory pairing of John Elway and Terrell Davis. For starters, the Vikings would have to give up picks Nos. 22 and 54 overall. The Broncos ship Cutler and keep pick No. 12 overall.
Opens up bargaining possibilities.

DETROIT LIONS: They own two first-round picks — nice bargaining chips. Cutler and the 12th pick overall in exchange for picks Nos. 1 and 20 overall, giving Denver nice bargaining options for another trade — or selecting two quality players.

CAROLINA PANTHERS: Oh, boy. Here’s the deal — Cutler and a third-round pick (No. 79 overall) to the Panthers in exchange for defensive end Julius Peppers and quarterback Jake Delhomme. You get a 29-year-old Pro Bowl star defender in
Peppers and a 34-year-old quarterback in Delhomme — whose former quarterbacks coach at Carolina, Mike McCoy, now holds the title of offensive coordinator with the Broncos.

CLEVELAND BROWNS: The Browns have the No. 5 pick overall and a choice of young quarterbacks — Derek Anderson or Brady Quinn — to offer in return. Quinn still is unproven, and Anderson has been prone to injury. But either might be worth the gamble. The fifth pick overall should be an immediate impact player for the
defense.

ST. LOUIS RAMS: We’re calling the club that traded Denver its pick used to select Cutler in 2006. The Broncos send Cutler and the No. 12 pick to St. Louis in exchange for the No. 2 pick overall and 31-year-old quarterback Marc Bulger. You get a
proven veteran QB to play behind Denver’s solid offensive line — and improve your draft position by 10 slots.

What about the New York Jets, you ask? What about them? These are my top five. There are a number of teams that can improve their chances with Cutler at quarterback. Thing is, we’re just speculating until McDaniels and Cutler sort out their issues.

The Broncos, with or without Cutler, aren’t going to contend for a playoff berth this season without a vastly improved defense. The scheme has to improve and so does the personnel.

Cutler carries a load of potential. But shipping him elsewhere might be the Broncos’ best option to make a noticeable, if not dramatic change for the better on defense.

A lot of teams have proven that you don’t need a star quarterback to make the playoffs, let alone win once you get there.