NFL teams
Michael C. Wright, ESPN Staff Writer 10y

Cutler figured he was off to Redskins

NFL, Chicago Bears, Washington Redskins

Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler on Monday confirmed a recent report he was nearly a member of the Washington Redskins in 2009, shortly before a trade with the Denver Broncos brought him to his current team.

In a piece explaining some of the behind-the-scenes maneuvers that ultimately led to the Bears landing Cutler, the quarterback -- fueled by speculation about former head coach Josh McDaniels' preference of Matt Cassell, and the belief former coach Mike Shanhan would be joining Washington -- reportedly wanted to join the Redskins.

"There were a few teams we got calls about that it was kind of coming down to the wire," Cutler explained Monday during ESPN 1000's "The Jay Cutler Show". "I thought Washington was a done deal."

Former Redskins vice president of football operations Vinny Cerrato thought so, too. In the CBS Sports report, Cerrato is quoted as saying, "Jay Cutler wanted to come ... because he figured Shanahan was coming anyhow, and so he wanted to come, too. And for the agent (Bus Cook) and everybody, it would have been a very smooth transition."

Ultimately, it didn't work out for the Redskins. The Bears snatched up Cutler with first-round picks in 2009 and 2010, a third-round pick in 2009, and former quarterback Kyle Orton, and received a fifth-round pick in the deal.

"Earlier in the day, I remember Bus calling and saying it was pretty close," Cutler recalled. "But I didn't know Shanny was gonna go there at the time. Then, Bus called me back, I think at 3 [p.m.], [and he's like], 'It's off the table. They couldn't find a third team to compete the trade.' Then, he called me back at 5 [p.m.], and was like, 'Chicago. If you're in with Chicago, we're doing it.' I'm like, 'I'm all in, let's go.'"

Cutler has been with the team since 2009, leading the Bears to the playoffs in 2010. Cutler signed a seven-year extension in January.

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