by Alex Marvez

Chicago's offseason acquisition of quarterback Jay Cutler from Denver already was considered a steal. A 27-17 preseason win against the Broncos reinforced just how big April's heist was.

Cutler and Denver quarterback Kyle Orton — who was part of the trade between the two teams — faced off on the same field for the first time since the deal was made. Comparing the two performances would be like comparing special effects from an old black and white film to one of today's blockbusters.

Overcoming a rough start, Cutler was 15 of 21 passing for 144 yards and one touchdown. He was so impressive that Bears head coach Lovie Smith gave him the second half off.

Orton also didn't play after halftime, but the rest wasn't a reward. Orton busted open his right index finger in the second quarter and couldn't return.

At that point, Orton had completed 12 of 16 attempts but almost all of his 96 passing yards came on dink-and-dunk throws. He led Denver to a mere field goal compared to the 17 points that Chicago scored on Cutler's watch.

But the differences between Cutler and Orton go beyond numbers. Cutler and his cannon arm make the kind of spectacular plays that Orton simply can't.

Jay Cutler visited with former Broncos teammate Champ Bailey. (Doug Pensinger / Getty Images)

A 98-yard Bears touchdown drive provided several examples of what separates Cutler from lesser quarterbacks. Facing third-and-eight from Chicago's 4-yard line, Cutler coolly drifted in the end zone before whipping a 16-yard pass to wide receiver Earl Bennett. Cutler worked out of a second-and-nine with a 15-yard strike to tight end Greg Olsen on a corner route. He ended the drive by threading a needle, hitting running back Matt Forte on a 6-yard touchdown throw just beyond the reach of diving Broncos linebacker Wesley Woodyard.

"I think any quarterback is going to be happy with that," Cutler said.

Especially during what a smiling Cutler admitted was "not your everyday situation."

The game had a regular-season atmosphere because of the brusque manner in which Cutler forced his way out of Denver. Feeling scorned when new Broncos coach Josh McDaniels considered trading him to acquire New England quarterback Matt Cassel, Cutler demanded a trade. The Broncos granted his wish shortly after Cutler snubbed team owner Pat Bowlen. Cutler fetched two first-round picks and Orton from Chicago, which hadn't fielded a Pro Bowl quarterback since Jim McMahon in the 1980s.

Maybe the relationship between Cutler and the Broncos would have ultimately proven irreparable. But forsaking a commodity as valuable as a young franchise quarterback so quickly after the rift developed was a huge mistake. The blame falls on a novice head coach who shouldn't have been so impetuous and an owner who shouldn't have meddled in football operations. Even if Denver turns Chicago's two first-round picks into gold, there are no guarantees McDaniels can mine a comparable replacement under center.

Cutler tried to play nice entering the game. He had heaped praise upon the Broncos, saying they've got "good players," "good receivers" and a "great offensive line." He even complimented McDaniels for having a "good offensive mind."

Good grief.

Nobody bought Cutler's futile attempt to downplay his return. Especially not the 70,000-plus Broncos fans who made so much noise that Invesco Field was literally shaking as Cutler awaited his first snap (those same fans had also taken note when after his trade to Chicago, Cutler publicly called Bears fans more rabid than Broncos fans). And definitely not Broncos defensive end Elvis Dumervil. He tossed Cutler to the ground after a first-quarter pressure, then talked smack to his former teammate. Dumervil was later penalized for a blatant late hit on Cutler just before halftime.

"They were fired up," Cutler said. "We just knew we had to keep pecking away at them."

Broncos coach Josh McDaniels now has Kyle Orton running his offense, not Jay Cutler. (Doug Pensinger / Getty Images)

McDaniels admitted to additional blitzing in Sunday's game as an expansion of the team's preseason defensive package. But the Broncos didn't sack Cutler or get enough consistent pressure to help a unit that was privately trashed by two scouts in attendance.

The picture wasn't any prettier offensively.

I was never completely sold on Orton as a right-handed quarterback during his four seasons in Chicago. I was even less impressed when he foolishly lobbed an interception left-handed under pressure last weekend at Seattle.

Orton might be decent with a strong supporting cast. Right now, he doesn't have one. McDaniels is using the same pass-heavy system he ran in New England without the Patriots' talent. Denver's best wide receiver (Brandon Marshall) is suspended. Starting wideout Jabar Gaffney and prized rookie running back Knowshon Moreno didn't play because of injuries. Four first-half penalties compounded Denver's troubles.

"It seemed like every drive was first-and-20 or second-and-15," McDaniels said. "We've got to fix what's wrong."

McDaniels, though, can't fix the biggest problem — the decision to trade Cutler in the first place.