When the Broncos traded for Cleveland Browns quarterback Brady Quinn Sunday, it was clear they weren’t going to keep four quarterbacks on the roster. Something had to give, and that something was backup quarterback Chris Simms’ job (via The Denver Post). Simms was cut from the Broncos after just one year in Denver, where he arrived with thoughts of competing for a starting job but could never top Kyle Orton in the competition.

Simms ended up playing in parts of two games last season when Orton hurt his ankle. Simms hadn’t played in the NFL since 2006, when he ruptured his spleen during a game with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and came to Denver looking to resurrect his career. Now he’ll have to find another home, and, surprisingly, rumors are circling that he won’t be out of work for very long.

ESPN Chicago reports that the Bears might make a run at him, although he definitely wouldn’t start there, as they already have Jay Cutler and former Colorado State University quarterback Caleb Hanie. Pro Football Talk speculates that Simms could end up playing for former Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan in Washington, a possibility that makes a little more sense considering Kyle Shanahan, Mike’s son, is the Redskins’ offensive coordinator and Simms’ best friend.

While Simms was never able to make a serious push for the starting job in Denver, his replacement has every intention of doing just that.

“Believe me, we’re going to be team players first, but we all want to be out there playing on the field,” Quinn says (via Sports Network). “Coach [Josh] McDaniels makes that decision. It’s not up to us.”

By “us” Quinn means himself, Orton, and second-year quarterback Tom Brandstater. Orton has said he’s happy Quinn is in town and will be happy to work with him, but he’s confident he’ll keep his job.

Denver Post columnist Mark Kiszla isn’t so sure, surmising that by the next time the Broncos play the Super Bowl, Quinn will be quarterback, not Orton. Kiszla also believes the most important off-season acquisition to date has been nose tackle Jamal Williams, and a beefier defense and a decent quarterback will put the Broncos over the top in the AFC West.