The Bears, longing for the days of, well, Sid Luckman, finally got themselves a big-name quarterback this afternoon when they acquired Jay Cutler from the Denver Broncos.

Cutler came with a price tag befitting a big name, as well: Chicago’s first round [...]]]> Well, it looks like that Sunday night Bears-Packers season opener at Lambeau just got a whole lot more interesting.

The Bears, longing for the days of, well, Sid Luckman, finally got themselves a big-name quarterback this afternoon when they acquired Jay Cutler from the Denver Broncos.

Cutler came with a price tag befitting a big name, as well: Chicago’s first round picks in 2009 and 2010, its third round pick in 2009 and the team’s current starting quarterback, Kyle Orton. The Bears also pick up Denver’s fifth round selection in this year’s draft.

The move makes the Bears a buzzworthy team heading into next season and Chicago fans, at least for the moment, are excited to have an actual quarterback. For some Bears fans, it’s the first time in their lives they can actually say such a thing.

Cutler is a young quarterback who certainly has some potential, but when you step back and take a good look at both Cutler and what the Bears gave up to get him, the move just doesn’t add up.

Cutler has a record of just 17-20 as a starter playing in a system that has gotten good numbers from some very average quarterbacks (the names of Brian Griese and Jake Plummer come to mind here).

His “career” year came last season, when he threw for 4,526 yards, certainly a great amount. But 25 touchdowns to 18 interceptions? Not a very good ratio (his career rating of 54 to 37 also leaves something to be desired).

When his team, in the midst of an AFC West divisional title chase last season,  needed him to be his best, he was anything but. Denver lost three straight games to end the season, with its “star” quarterback compiling QB ratings of 74.3, 72.4 and 74.9. He also threw just two touchdowns compared to four interceptions.

Positively Grossman-esque.

Things are even less rosy with regards to the team he’s going to.

Once known for their top-flight defense, the Bears are nowhere near as good as they once were on that side of the ball. Last season, they finished 21st in total yards allowed, including a 30th place showing in passing yards allowed. They also were 22nd in sacks. Head coach Lovie Smith will take over play-calling duties for the defense this season, but even he can only do so much.

What’s that have to do with Cutler, you ask?

The Broncos had a similarly poor defense last season. That meant Cutler had to carry a lot of the load in order for the team to win. Mixed results followed.

It will be a similar story this season – in fact, it could be worse as the Bears lack any of the consistent, big-time playmakers that Denver had. And don’t mention Devin Hester, Matt Forte or Greg Olson, Bears fans – remember, I said consistent, big-time playmakers. There’s no one close to Brandon Marshall’s level on Chicago’s offense.

The Bears could always get him some help in the dra – oh wait, they can’t because they only have one pick in the first three rounds now.

If all of this wasn’t bad enough, there’s also one more factor to consider: Cutler seems like a real jerk.

This is a guy who just could not deal with the fact that his new head coach (Josh McDaniels) might have been trying to get rid of him in order to acquire a quarterback (Matt Cassel) that he helped groom and who knew the system he was going to install.

Cutler pulled a Favre – yes, I said it – and got his agent, the increasingly detestable Bus Cook, to inform the team he wanted to be traded. Then, like Favre – yes, I said it again – he tried to act like the whole thing wasn’t his fault.

This is a business, sweetheart – grow up a little bit. If Cutler had a hard time dealing with McDaniels, how in the world is he going to deal with Smith, who seems like one tough, old school S.O.B.?

In the end, you come to the conclusion that while the Bears might have finally gotten a quarterback, they’ll likely be kicking themselves for a long time for what they gave up.

Besides, we still have the best quarterback in the division.

-Chris Lempesis