N/S Cutler trade to Bears (mega merge)

25 TD's and 18 picks is not elite. 17-20 as a starter is not elite. No playoff wins (granted he's early in his career) is not elite. If you want to turn the discussion to the ability to be an elite QB, then you may have something, but to say at this point in his career that Jay Cutler is one of the top 3 or 4 QB's in the league is foolish. Not to mention the intangibles that an elite, supposed leader of a football team should possess (toughness, leadership, ability to handle pressure situations) that are legitimately being questioned right now, and you can save the elite moniker for another year or two.

If your defense gives up 30 points a game, you're not going to win very often. He had one of the best conversion rates on third down and was one of the most efficient QBs in 4th quarters of games this year.

Cutler is in that group right behind Manning, Brady, and Brees.