In the draft we haven't used a high round pick on a QB since 2003 (Grossman). Before that it was 1999 (McNown). Before that it was 1987 (Jim Harbough). We did try to "buy" a QB from Denver when we brought in Cutler, but that wasn't a draft pick for us. It was a mistake, IMHO too. I wish we had never brought him here.
What difference does it make whether we drafted them or spent 1st round picks on them in lieu of that. The result was the same. Except for Cutler they've all been miserable failures and at best Cutler has been less than we expected. Even Harbaugh had his best years AFTER he left Chicago but that was far more than 20 years ago.
The bottom line is we've drafted them poorly, developed them poorly, and supported them poorly both on and off the field. Where or how we got them is secondary. If we had ever been as good as say GB at evaluating QB talent the trades may not have been needed, although they actually did trade for Favre.
I'll make you guys a deal. I'll stop defending Cutler the day you all can say the Bears have given every QB whose played here in the past 20 years including Cutler all of the best coaching and support personnel wise money can buy. Can any of you do that? No you can't. Not even close so let's deal with facts and not feelings and emotions OK. If you want this team winning again stick with that and maybe we can get somewhere.
You bring up valid points. It's been a lot of mistakes, and not just in one area. I totally agree with you on that. My hope is that we can put the past behind us regarding our QB draft woes. I know we both want that.