23 Names

Mike Tomczak. Jim Harbaugh. Peter Tom Willis. Will Furrer. Erik Kramer. Steve Walsh. Dave Krieg. Rick Mirer. Steve Stenstrom. Moses Moreno. Shane Matthews. Cade McNown. Jim Miller. Chris Chandler. Henry Burris. Kordell Stewart. Rex Grossman. Jonathan Quinn. Craig Krenzel. Chad Hutchinson. Kyle Orton. Jeff Blake. Brian Griese.

Those are the names of all the quarterbacks who've played for the Chicago Bears since Jim McMahon played in the Pro Bowl and Super Bowl for them over 20 years ago.

Thursday, they traded Orton, two first-round draft picks and a fifth-round pick for a 24th name: Denver Broncos Pro Bowl quarterback Jay Cutler, who had become severely disenchanted with that franchise when their new coach tried to trade for then-New England Patriots quarterback Matt Cassel.

That sounds like a lot to give up for any single player, and it is. But the old saying, "Sometimes you have to give a lot to get a lot," has a good deal of truth to it. It's just so rare--shocking, really--to see the Bears make such a bold and risky move.

The loss of two first-round picks could be a blessing in disguise, given the Bears' recent history with first-round picks, most of whom have been negligible at best and outright bombs at worst.

But trading a steady-if-unspectacular quarterback, Orton, who's won 75% of the games he's started, for a potential superstar who could be an overly sensitive headcase? We'll see how that goes.

Now if only Cutler had a decent receiver to throw to...