That coddlin' town? Chicago won't baby Cutler

A happy ending.

The Denver Broncos receive market value for a malcontent, and Jay Cutler gets to play for the Chicago Bears, his favorite team.

It's a sweet conclusion to a soap opera that captivated Colorado residents.

The recession? A mind-numbing snowstorm?

Who cares?

For the past month, our state's prime conversation topic has been the silly feud between coach Josh McDaniels and Cutler.

Still, it's not a perfect ending.

The Broncos head into the 2009 season armed with two quarterbacks who do their best work watching from the sidelines. Mediocre would be a kind description for Chris Simms and Kyle Orton.

Neither quarterback will be compared to Cutler. Both lack his bazooka of an arm.

On the bright side, both also lack Cutler's ridiculously inflated love of self.

Cutler better start working on his fragile psyche. He's traveling to America's second-toughest sports town - Philadelphia ranks first - and Bears fans will boo without mercy if he struggles.

Broncos fans are a mellow, forgiving bunch compared with those who cheer for the Bears. The first time Cutler throws one of his patented interceptions into double coverage, he will regret the day he sulked his way out of Colorado.

Chicago paid dearly for Cutler, who has hinted but not proven he's an elite talent. Mike Shanahan kept telling Cutler he would become a franchise quarterback, and Cutler made the mistake of acting as if he'd already arrived.

He hasn't. Not yet. Cutler could someday become one of the greats. He has the arm. He has the frame. We're still waiting to see if he has the mind.

Sure, Cutler could become a latter-day Brett Favre, the swaggering type who defies the rules and still wins. Or he could become the second coming of Jeff George, the me-first type who infuriates coaches, teammates, fans and his mother.

For the Broncos, this trade will fail to pay instant dividends. Cutler would have lifted the team higher in 2009, but the two first-round picks obtained from the Bears could eventually make fans forget the quarterback who once wore No. 6.

Remember, the Broncos compete in the AFC West, which has been a mess. By all appearances, the West will remain a forgiving realm in 2009.

With Cutler, the Broncos might have won nine or 10 games and tangled with the Chargers for the West crown.

Without Cutler, the Broncos could struggle to finish .500. Only dreamy-eyed optimists should count on the playoffs, and fans might need to embrace patience.

The Broncos had little choice. Cutler wouldn't take phone calls. Cutler pouted and moaned. All he needed to complete his baby imitation was a pacifier and a rattle.

He didn't want to live in Colorado. And, in the end, most Colorado residents didn't want him here, either.

Now, he's gone.

That's what I call a happy ending.