LAKE FOREST, Ill. – We asked Bears fans to let us know how they felt about the blockbuster trade for Pro Bowl quarterback Jay Cutler, and we were deluged with more than 1,000 responses. The following are excerpts from some of the emails we received:

In our eight years of marriage, I’ve only seen my husband Johnny happier two other times—during the births of our sweet girls, Maggie and Mollie. I’m pretty sure our wedding day doesn’t even rank up there with the joy he had when learning the Bears now have a franchise quarterback in Jay Cutler!

Tiffany B.
Paducah, Kentucky

Color me shocked! I’ve been a Bears fan for roughly 25 of my 34 years, and with all due respect to Jim McMahon, it’s nice to be able to say we’ve finally gotten ourselves a franchise quarterback. And as a special bonus, I can walk up to my Packer fan friends for the first time since before the Brett Favre era and honestly tell them, “Our quarterback’s better than yours.” I would like to thank the entire Bears organization for pulling this off.

I'm not sure coherent thought is even possible at this point. I've been a Bears fan for over 20 years, and this type of move isn't remotely close to anything I've experienced before as a fan. It's definitely bittersweet to see Kyle Orton go. The acquisitions, however, give me as much hope as I've had entering a season, including 2006. Go Bears!
 
Adam
Scarborough, Maine

This is truly amazing. I can’t believe that the Bears actually pulled the trigger and made a big time deal! This has the potential of being something amazing. Jay Cutler can be the cornerstone of this franchise for years to come, which could make this deal one of the best in Bears history. Jim McMahon was good, but he couldn’t stay healthy. Sid Luckman was the last real franchise quarterback the Bears had, so all I can say is, “Welcome to Chicago, Jay!”

Brian B.
Mount Prospect, Illinois

I cannot believe what I saw this evening when I checked the Bears Web site and found out about the trade. I will definitely be at the game here in Cincy when the Bears thrash the Bungles! A quarterback has been our missing ingredient for so long, and now we have it. I’m speechless!

Dave
Cincinnati, Ohio

This is an absolutely amazing gift for all Bears fans. We've been without a quarterback of this quality for nearly as long as the Cubs have been without a World Series. And to say no one believed this would happen is an understatement by far! This has the entire Bears nation abuzz and full of life. This has re-energized many fans’ faith that the Bears will do what it takes to win the Super Bowl. I believe I speak for all of us in thanking Jerry Angelo for making this bold move and having the courage to do what was needed to make it happen.

Jeffrey K.

This is a good day to be a fan of the Bears! Management proved to the fans that they are willing to make major moves to build a winner and not stay with the status quo. I wish Kyle Orton nothing but the best; he is a class act. But Jay Cutler is a franchise quarterback. I believe that his acquisition will prove to be instrumental in the development of Earl Bennett, his former Vanderbilt teammate. The signing of Orlando Pace will prove to be huge if he can stay healthy. Matt Forte has to be delighted that he will no longer face eight defenders in the box.

Tom H.
Greenville, New Hampshire

It’s great to see the Bears finally make some moves on the offensive side of the ball!  In order to win championships you need a talented quarterback and we finally have one!  Good job, Jerry!  Now get some receivers.
 
Joe
St. John's, NL, Canada

I think trading for Jay Cutler was the right thing to do. There are some that say that we gave too much up, but honestly, how often does a young, talented, Pro Bowl quarterback become available? Two first-round picks for Cutler? How many NFL teams will go through 10 full drafts without getting a franchise quarterback?

Robert H.
San Diego, California

I was outraged when I saw we traded not only Kyle Orton, but two first-round picks as well. I think this is the biggest mistake the Bears could've made aside from starting Rex Grossman again. How are we ever supposed to have a good quarterback if you don't give them a chance to prove themselves? Orton was coming off a great year and I felt he could be our franchise quarterback. Personally, I think the Bears blew it big time with this trade. 

Rob
Genoa City, Wisconsin

Best Chicago Bears offseason ever!
 
Chad K.
Stronghurst, Illinois

I am a lifelong Bears fan. I love the two deals the Bears made acquiring Cutler and Pace. From the hundreds of blogs I have read this offseason there are a lot of fans who owe Jerry Angelo an apology! Great job, Bears management!

Doug L.
Virginia Beach, Virginia

I think it was an outstanding move that we had to do to help us get to the playoffs this year, The addition of three offensive linemen also helped. That only leaves two areas to focus on: wide receiver first and then maybe one more safety. I feel the Bears organization has made outstanding and smart decisions this offseason and I look forward to the 2009 season. It should be a great one.
 
Rod H.
Olean, New York

I am so excited! It has been storming and flooding all over the Florida panhandle, but I don’t care anymore. This is just what the Bears needed. I applaud Jerry Angelo for having the guts to go for this big trade! I believe that Earl Bennett will do great things next year now that he's back with Cutler! Hester and Bennett will be a great duo next year!

Louie
Ft Walton Beach, Florida

The Bears and Jerry Angelo in particular deserve credit for these two deals. It demonstrates that they are willing to do whatever it takes to win the Super Bowl. While the price was high, it is worth the risk. Even if things don't work out (though I think that they will), at least they provided the coaches with better talent.
 
Mark C.
Rhoadesville, Virginia

After the unbelievable trade and free-agent signing, I feel like a kid again. I can't wait for the season to start!  Please tell Mr. Angelo that he can completely screw up the next five drafts without hearing a peep from me. These moves have bought him plenty of credibility in my view.  Hope is what makes being a fan great. There are a lot of factors that will determine wins and losses and championship seasons. But nothing can replace hope and excitement within the fan base. Congratulations, Mr. Angelo and the Chicago Bears organization. We will enter each and every season for the next 10 years with hope because we finally have a franchise quarterback.

William K.
Eau Claire, Wisconsin

I am so glad this actually happened. The Bears finally have a playmaker at quarterback. I am going have to get NFL Sunday Ticket now so I can watch every Bears game! Jerry Angelo, you are my hero and I am now naming my first son after you.
 
Anthony R.
Imlay City, Michigan

I'm currently deployed with the Air Force in Iraq for a year. Let me tell you one thing, this trade has made my entire year! Finally the Bears do the right thing and trade for a great quarterback. After watching the past few years of Kyle Orton and Rex Grossman, I finally have faith in my boys. Jay Cutler has landed with a great organization and an even better fan base. I can tell Jay one thing: Lovie won't do you wrong or try to do anything behind your back. All I need to know now is where to get my Jay Cutler jersey. Good luck, Jay, love having you aboard.
 
Chad R.
Baghdad, Iraq

I am ecstatic with these bold moves. I couldn’t be happier!  Some of you might say the Bears gave up too much to get Cutler, but you are fools. This is a once-in-a-lifetime deal and I would not have been upset if the Bears had given up more than they did. Jerry Angelo said previously he needed to “right” the quarterback position, and now he has.

Thank you, Jerry Angelo, for making the bold move you did. I wish you could have seen the pure elation in Bears fans’ faces on the Metra from Union Station today as we each received text messages from loved ones telling us about the trade. Complete strangers were hugging and celebrating on the train, ecstatic that we finally got what we wanted, and so impressed that you sealed the deal for our beloved team. Bear Down.

Amie S.
Roselle, Illinois

I have been bashing Jerry Angelo since he got here in '01. Now if I saw him in the street I might run up and hug him. Not just with the Cutler and Pace signings, but the overall free agency moves he's made this year have been pretty good. Also he had, what I think, his best draft last year since he started. Now we just need to go receiver and db this draft and we should be in excellent shape to win the division. Great job, Jerry!

Matt O.
Aurora, Illinois

I have been like most and had some bad things to say about Jerry Angelo and the Bears, but that’s in the past. I have been quieted. Jerry is a genius and in my estimation this is the greatest day in his tenure as a GM. In one day the beloved Bears go from competitive to the ones to beat. Take that, NFC North.

Sean
Tinley Park, Illinois

I think it’s an excellent move! I applaud the guts of the organization to go out and make a bold move. After starting quietly this offseason, the Bears have solidified the offensive line by bringing in a former Pro Bowl tackle in Orlando Pace and a brawler in Kevin Shaffer, traded for a Pro Bowl quarterback to go with an outstanding young running back in Matt Forte and emerging, dynamic playmakers in Devin Hester and Greg Olsen. Paired with what I believe will be a much improved defensive line and a stalwart linebacking corps, I don’t think it’s presumptuous to think Super Bowl.

Eric N.
Casper, Wyoming

As a lifelong Bears fan I really never thought the Bears had something like this in them. It might seem to be a lot to give for one guy, but how many Pro Bowlers have the Bears had with their first-round picks in the last 10 years? This guy has been a winner his whole life and will win in Chicago. The headline after the season will read “Cutler Wins Super Bowl.”

Sean S.
Fredericksburg, Virginia

I literally jumped out of my chair at work when I saw the news! Saying that I am happy and excited is the most underwhelming way to describe how I feel. A Pro Bowl quarterback, an amazing running back, an entirely new offensive line with young talent and experienced veterans, a maturing tight end, an exciting play-making wide receiver, and plenty of options in the upcoming draft are all going to make for an exciting season in Chicago as we return to the playoffs, where we should be every year. Mr. Angelo, you are my hero!

Ryan Nelson
Escalon, California

Who needs the Olympics? This city got something much better—a franchise quarterback! Kudos to Jerry Angelo.

Timothy P.
Mount Prospect, Illinois

This is an absolutely huge move. I think Cutler can take the Bears to the next level (back to the Super Bowl) and the addition of Orlando Pace was a smart and safe move. We gave Denver quite a bit, but the Bears are great at finding top-notch quality later in the draft anyway! Wow. With all of that being said, I want to wish Kyle Orton the best of luck with the Broncos.

Nolan W.
Sacramento, California

This is the happiest day of my life other then the birth of my two sons! I have waited many years for the Bears to get a franchise quarterback!  I think we are just a few pieces away from going back to the Super Bowl.

Scott
Uniontown, Ohio

With the Cutler trade, Bears management and ownership has finally whispered in our SuperFan ears "I love you too." I'll go weep in the bathroom stall now and violate a sacred Man commandment. Thank you, Jerry Angelo and Ted Phillips, thank you.

Michael S.
Carson City, Nevada

This is the best move Angelo has ever made. Cutler brings stability to a position left in shambles since McMahon. Pace gives the Bears more depth to the o-line to protect their new star. Now, I'd love to see Kenny Britt taken in the second round to give Cutler a big target. Go Bears!

Matt Davis
Glen Ellyn, Illinois

Never in a million years did I think the Bears would get Jay Cutler. Not only a quarterback that has a cannon for an arm, but a quarterback that is also mobile in the pocket. Someone pinch me. Am I dreaming?

Steve S.
El Mirage, Arizona

I am ecstatic with what took place today.  I applaud Jerry Angelo and Bears ownership for having the guts to do this, no matter how it plays out. This franchise has been starving for a star quarterback for decades and they finally have one, and he's only in his third year! Then they finish off the day by signing Orlando Pace? Are you kidding me?  It's a great day for Bears fans.

Rick V.

I can't deny Jay Cutler's physical gifts, but I am really unhappy with what happened with Kyle Orton. This guy bled navy and orange while he was on the roster, taking a demotion after a winning season in stride. He was a guy that had broad enough shoulders to handle being a quarterback in a city like Chicago. It seemed like he got a very raw deal, especially considering the endorsements he received for both the head coach and general manager. Jay Cutler is a good quarterback, but Kyle Orton was the Bears quarterback.

Tom S.
Denison, Iowa

It’s 3 a.m. in Norway now and I can’t sleep because I’m super excited. Now we’ve finally got a franchise quarterback. If we can get a good wide receiver, I think the Bears will be a contender for the Super Bowl this year. This is without a doubt a major step forward for the organization.

Atle S.
Stavanger, Norway

I could not be happier!  As soon as I heard the news I was on the phone with my buddy from Denver, thanking him for ending the suffering us Bears fan have had to endure at the quarterback position. I truly cannot believe it!  I would have be satisfied with just signing Pace (which is an awesome move in itself).  But adding Cutler, wow!  It’s easily the biggest offseason acquisition in Bears history. I think I'm going to buy my new Bears Cutler jersey tomorrow. 

Drew
Naples, FL