The Denver Broncos have, for more than a decade, been a beacon of stability and normalcy in a flaky professional football league. In a matter of months, they have gone from a privately held five-star restaurant to a Burger King. Every NFL organization and every NFL fan are all saying the same thing, “WTF happened?”

First, and obviously foremost, Denver (More specifically owner Pat Bowlen) decided to part ways with longtime coach Mike Shanahan. It came as a real shock to almost everyone. Shanahan was one of the longest tenured coaches in football. 

But here’s the facts, Shanahan hadn’t been very successful in years and let go of a commanding division lead in the last games of the year including an inexcusable loss to my Buffalo Bills. Jerry Glanville once said the NFL means, “Not For Long.”

This is a very demanding business. The difference between a playoff team’s revenue and a bad team is astounding. Shanahan knew why he got the ax and he accepted it like a man. If you lose and make poor decisions in this league, you are going to be out of a job very quickly (Unless your name is Dick Jauron).

So Cutler was upset but met with Pat Bowlen who assured Cutler that the team would retain the majority of the offensive staff. They didn’t.

The Broncos went out and hired wunderkind Josh McDaniels to be their new head coach. I think it was a great hire.So McDaniels apparently met with Cutler and reassured him that he was their QB of the future. But when McDaniels became aware the Patriots were indeed going to trade Matt Cassell, McDaniels obviously looked into the deal. Some people say he should not have. Why not?

The Head Coach looked into acquiring the QB he had coached the year before and had a great relationship with. There is no one in the NFL that is completely untouchable, I really believe that. So he listened about a deal, discussed a deal, and ultimately even agreed on a deal, but it didn’t happen. That is where the story should end.

Cutler hasn’t been able to get over his pride being hurt, I think his sense of entitlement is over the top, but I do understand the need for a rock solid relationship between a young quarterback and a new head coach. If there is an ounce of mistrust, the whole thing is going to fail.

Apparently convinced that their rift with Cutler is irreconcilable, the Broncos have decided to pursue a trade for their disgruntled quarterback before the April 25 draft. It is now pretty apparent that the Jay Cutler era is over in Denver, and it could be remembered for decades what a monumental screwup this whole thing was. This type isn’t really representative of the Broncos franchise, and if this goes bad, Josh McDaniels could go down as the most hated man in Colorado.

So where is Cutler going to end up?

New York Jets - The Jets have made it known they would like Cutler if he is available. The Jets have the No. 17 pick and they would have to give Denver much more to get him. But the Jets showed with the Favre pursuit that they know how to pull off a big deal.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers - The Buccaneers were one of the first teams to talk to Denver about Cutler in February. They have the No. 19 pick, so they might be hard pressed to make a deal.

Detroit Lions – The Lions must show an interest in Cutler with their QB hole. They have the No. 1 and No. 20 picks in the draft. But they may have settled on Matthew Stafford after his excellent private workout.

Cleveland Browns – Eric Mangini would probably trade Anderson or Quinn if Cutler was on the block.

Jacksonville Jaguars – They could certainly use an upgrade over David Garrard and with the 8th overall pick, they could make a good compensation package.

Seattle Seahawks – Matt Hasselbeck isn’t getting any younger and they have the #4 overall pick in the draft.

Philadelphia Eagles - The Eagles have an aging quarterback and two first-round picks. If they wanted to do it, they could make a nice package.

Arizona Cardinals – Kurt Warner isn’t going to be around forever and they could package a deal around Matt Leinart.

Kansas City Chiefs – Maybe Scott Pioli wouldn’t mind parting with Cassel if Cutler is to be had. The speculative deal is what started all of this BS anyway.

Tennessee Titans – Probably a bit of a longshot but Kerry Collins is a short-term solution and I don’t think anyone is confident Vince Young is going to work out, so why not?

The problem is, Cutler is likely worth more than anyone can compensate Denver with. You don’t trade a Cadillac for a Saturn and you don’t trade an iPhone for a RAZR.

He is widely considered to be a player a team can install at quarterback and not worry about the position for the next decade. Cutler set several franchise passing records last season, when he threw for 4,526 yards, 25 touchdowns and 18 interceptions. In his 37-game career in Denver, he’s completed 62.5 percent of his passes for 9,024 yards, 54 TDs and 37 interceptions.

His record is only 17-20 as a starter but that is more relective of a poor defense than Cutler’s talents. In games where Denver allowed less than 21 points, Cutler was 13-1.

Jay Cutler is going to be very good in this league. That isn’t really hard to see. Why I call this saga pathetic is because of the egos involved. Cutler has acted like a selfish kid who just can’t get over bruised feelings. He has this air of smug about him that pisses me off.

If he was smart, he would stay with McDaniels and his Denver receiving corps because starting over with another team isn’t going to do his career any favors. And if he thinks he is the first NFL player to have his feelings hurt in this league, he needs a bitchslap. This is a mans game. It is highly lucrative and highly demanding. 

If you’re a professional you get over it. This isn’t being picked last in sandlot ball. This is pro, you’re nothing but a commodity, there is no living legend halo around his head, and he is no John Elway yet. So yes, Cutler is acting pathetic, and I actually feel sorry for Josh McDaniels.