Jay Cutler - Out or In?

Addendum! Bears trade for Cutler - giving up 2 first-rounders, a third-rounder and Kyle Orton for Cutler and a fifth-round pick.

The Jay Cutler saga keeps getting more interesting. Thursday morning had Cutler backtracking on his trade demands, claiming he never asked out of Denver, nor did he want it to get that far. Meanwhile Denver is reportedly seeking two first-round picks for Cutler and a possibly a player, which makes you wonder if they are intentionally pricing him out of tradability. The Redskins have quickly become the front runner but even Dan Snyder isn't likely up two first-rounders. Are the Broncos having second thoughts? Are the two sides trying to work it out behind the scenes after a silly escalation of posturing? Recent developments, Cutler's comments and Denver's absurd demands, certainly create a good argument for Cutler staying in Denver.

Cutler, who turns 26 on April 29, is coming off a Pro Bowl season. He threw for 4,526yards and 25 touchdowns in 2008.

Tensions between the two quickly escalated after Denver reportedly offered to send Cutler to New England for upstart Matt Cassel who successfully filled Tom Brady's shoes last season. Denver quickly backed away after bruising Cutler's ego but Cutler has played the victim card in all of this.

After repeated damage-control efforts failed, the Broncos made known their intention to try to trade Cutler on Tuesday as owner Pat Bowlen sent out a statement to members of the media. That ended a month long battle between the disgruntled quarterback and new coach Josh McDaniels, the former New England quarterbacks guru.

This is a lose/lose scenario for both sides. Cutler has a good thing going in Denver and vice-versa. Is it too late to work it out? Of course not. Should Cutler remain in Denver and the team rally around him successfully, well that's a great feel-good story for the season. Especially if they can make the playoffs. Yes, we'll get sick of hearing about that, but should it implode the team and morale, that is an even bigger lesson.

Stay tuned for more.