Jay Cutler told FOXSports.com Wednesday night that he thought he would be dealt to an NFC team.

He was right!

Cutler has been traded to the Chicago Bears for two first-round picks, a third-round pick and quarterback Kyle Orton.

Denver will receive Chicago's first- and third-round pick in this year's draft, and Chicago's first-round pick in 2010, along with Orton. The Bears get Cutler and the Broncos' fifth-round pick this year.

Cutler has been feuding with the team since new Broncos coach Josh McDaniels pursued a trade with New England for former Patriot, and current Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel.

McDaniels was never able to rebuild a relationship with a quarterback who felt spurned. Cutler was so angry that he never reported for the team's offseason program — a decision that reportedly costing him a $100,000 workout incentive.

In a team-issued statement Tuesday, Broncos owner Pat Bowlen said his attempts and those by McDaniels to reach Cutler for the past 10 days were "unsuccessful." "A conversation with his agent earlier (Tuesday) clearly communicated and confirmed to us that Jay no longer has any desire to play for the Broncos," Bowlen said. "We will begin discussions with other teams in an effort to accommodate his request to be traded."

However on Wednesday, in an exclusive interview with FOXSports.com, Cutler refuted many of the team's characterizations, saying it was the Broncos who had not contacted him. "I didn't want to get traded," Cutler told FOXSports.com. "This wasn't me. (The Broncos) had been going back and forth saying things, wanting me to be their quarterback and then they didn't. I really didn't want this. I love Denver. I really like my teammates. I didn't want it to get this far."

The Bears are hoping the acquisition of Cutler will bring an end to their often frustrating search for an undisputed No. 1 quarterback. Their recent history has been filled with uncertainty at the position. Since 2000, 12 players have started at least one game at quarterback for the Bears. The list of those who have been discarded includes Orton, Brian Griese, Chad Hutchinson, Rex Grossman, Kordell Stewart, Chris Chandler and Jim Miller. A 2006 first-round draft choice, Cutler is coming off his first Pro Bowl appearance in 2008. Cutler had a 62.3 completion percentage, tossing 25 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in a 4,526-yard passing campaign. But the Broncos failed to reach the playoffs for a third consecutive season, leading to the offseason firing of 14-year head coach Mike Shanahan.
 

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