When Broncos coach Josh McDaniels went a couple weeks without hearing from Cutler and the team didn't get return messages from the quarterback, they moved on with a trade. Cutler was sent to the Chicago Bears on April 2.

When McDaniels held a press conference to explain the trading of a 25-year-old franchise quarterback, he said he didn't think the situation could be fixed.

"It was going to require a two-way commitment," McDaniels said. "It was clear to us there wasn't going to be a two-way commitment."

Cutler was upset that he was mentioned in trade talks for Matt Cassel, then the bitter feelings with the Broncos brass grew. He had a face-to-face meeting with McDaniels and general manager Brian Xanders, among others, but requested a trade through his agent the next day. McDaniels said he and Cutler never spoke again.

Now the Broncos will move ahead with Kyle Orton and Chris Simms at quarterback. McDaniels said the two would compete for the starting job. Orton was acquired in the trade for Cutler.

Neither quarterback has the physical skills of Cutler, and McDaniels admitted he wanted Cutler as his quarterback. The two sides could never get along, resulting in what could be one of the most controversial trades in team history.

"This wasn't the end result we were looking for from the outset," McDaniels said. "But it is where we're at now, and we're moving forward in a direction where we feel like we can compete."