Depending on the offensive coordinator the Bucs hire, here are a list of quarterbacks they may pursue.

"Jay Cutler, Browns QB" | "Jay Cutler, Bucs QB" — One makes sense. The other is an awful idea. http://t.co/awwrxkrTmc pic.twitter.com/XFcpb3OmAo — Sporting News NFL (@sn_nfl) December 19, 2014

Mark Sanchez

There was a debate in NFL circles in 2009 on who would be the better first round choice, USC’s Mark Sanchez or Kansas State’s Josh Freeman. The New York Jets’ general manager Mike Tannenbaum and coach Rex Ryan felt confident enough in Sanchez’s abilities to trade up with the Cleveland Browns to no. 5 to draft him. The Bucs’ general manager Mark Dominik and head coach Raheem Morris wound up trading with the same Browns up to no. 17 to select Freeman.

Through six seasons, Sanchez topped 3,000 passing yards only twice and topped 20 touchdowns once completing an average of 56.3 percent of his passes for a career 74.1 rating. Through five seasons, Freeman topped 3,000 yards three times with 4,065 yards in 2012. He also topped 20 touchdowns twice completing an average of 57.6 percent of his passes for a career 77.8 rating.

Sanchez’s best season to date was with the Philadelphia Eagles this season. Through nine games playing in the relief of starter Nick Foles, he’s completed for a career high 64.1 percent of his passes. He’s also well above his per game average of 195 passing yards a game when was a Jet with 269 yards a game as an Eagle. Freeman, on the other hand, found himself out of the league following failed stints with the Minnesota Vikings in 2013 and not even making training camp for the New York Giants in 2014.

If the Bucs were to entertain Bill Musgrave, the current quarterbacks coach of the Eagles as offensive coordinator, you can make a case for Sanchez being the latest reclamation project.

Jay Cutler

If Trestman becomes hired, don’t expect the Bucs to trade for him. His name pops up as an exception given his history with Bucs head coach Lovie Smith.

Following Cutler’s benching and Trestman’s firing, there is much to cast doubt on Cutler’s future with the team. If the new Chicago Bears coach favors him, expect his contract to be honored. If not, the Bucs can become viable trade partners if they’re willing to part with a combination of draft pick and/or Mike Glennon. Make no mistake, you’re likely not going to see Cutler and McCown on the same team again. So if Cutler comes, expect the Bucs to draft a quarterback to learn under him.

With Cutler, you have a quarterback that’s serviceable but doesn’t excel, meaning he’s never topped a 90 QB rating and he’s only dipped below 80 once in his career. He’s also a more accurate passer than Sanchez, McCown (58.8) and Glennon (58.8) for his career at 61.7 percent. Cutler’s topped 3,000 yards passing six times in his nine year career with his best season in 2008 with 4,526 yards in his final year with the Denver Broncos. He’s also averages 20 passing touchdowns a season.

More speculate that he won’t return to Smith, but in this league, “never say never” especially if you can restructure the deal.

Despite Bear fans’ unrest, Cutler still finished the season with his second highest rating of his career at 88.6.