After eight months of analysis, second-guessing and questions, we are left with this as the early return from the Jay Cutler-Kyle Orton trade: So what’s the big deal?

The Bears and Broncos swapped quarterbacks and draft picks last April with hopes of taking their teams to the playoffs in 2009, and their  best-laid plans were foiled by a variety of factors.

The Bears started 3-1 but faded as Cutler threw pick after pick after pick behind a shoddy offensive line and a struggling running game. The result: 7-9 and no playoffs.

The Broncos started 6-0 with Orton in charge, but faded down the stretch to finish 8-8, losing the season finale to a Kansas City team it beat by 31 just a few weeks earlier.

Kyle Orton posted big numbers in the Broncos' season finale - both in yards and interceptions - and Denver ended the season 8-8 after a 6-0 start.

Orton was awful in the final game with three interceptions in the second half, including two pick-sixes in a 44-24 loss to the Chiefs. It was by far his worst game of the season: 32-of-56 for 431 yards, a  touchdown and the three interceptions.

As Bears fans have learned, you can’t rely solely on Orton to win a game for you. If he’s throwing the ball 50 times, you’re in trouble.

So looking back on the 2009 season leaves both quarterbacks with disappointing results, both statistically and in the standings.

Here’s the breakdown of both quarterbacks this week and for the season, along with NFL Network video:

JAY CUTLER

Team’s record: 7-9 (2008: 8-8 with the Broncos)

Completions-attempts/percentage: 336-554 (60.6 percent) (2008: 384-616, 62.3 percent)

Yards: 3,666 (229.1 yards per game; 6.6 yards per attempt) (2008: 4,526 yards, 282.8 average)

Touchdowns: 27 (2008: 25)

Interceptions: 26 (2008: 18)

Sacks: 35

Analysis: He went 1-4 in night games, had four- and five-interception games and his statistics fell in every category but touchdown passes from last season. Cutler’s first season as a Bear is over, and the guy has to be relieved. He finished the season strong, with eight touchdown passes and one interception in wins over the Vikings and the Lions. But that doesn’t erase the disappointment from earlier in the season, which started with a 3-1 start but spiraled into a 5-9 mark before the strong finish.

Here’s what we’ll remember: The poor protection, receivers breaking off routes, Ron Turner’s baffling play calling. Cutler lived through all of it. With a better offensive line and at least one new front-line receiver next year, there will be better days ahead for Cutler & Co. The Bears learned a valuable lesson this year: You can’t slot the franchise quarterback into the program. You have to build around him. That work starts now.

KYLE ORTON

Team’s record: 8-8 (2008: 9-6 with the Bears)

Completions-attempts/percentage: 336-541 (62.1 percent) (2008: 272-465 in 15 games, 58.4 percent)

Yards: 4,202 (262.6 per game; 7.7 per attempt) (2008: 2,972 yards; 6.39 per attempt)

Touchdowns: 21 (2008: 18)

Interceptions: 12  (2008: 12)

Sacks: 29

  Analysis: Orton is entering a contract year and our hunch is the Broncos will make a middle-of-the-road offer and re-sign him. They have the flexibility, with the Bears’ first-round pick, to trade up in the draft and find a difference-maker at wide receiver in case Brandon Marshall bolts in free agency. But don’t be surprised if Josh McDaniels takes a quarterback with one of his high picks and develops him behind Orton.

-- MIKE REILLEY
Follow him on Twitter @bearsblogblitz