As soon as the Broncos announced Cutler was on the trading block, the Lions were one of the first teams mentioned. They had inquired about him in February.

However, the Lions didn't have a potential starting quarterback to send to Denver as a replacement for Cutler, as Kyle Orton was a key to Denver making the deal with Chicago. The Lions have the No. 1 pick, but the No. 1 pick is difficult to trade because of the rookie contract involved. They do have four more picks in the first 82, but they don't sound eager to part with them.

"We said all along we want to build this team through the draft," Lions president Tom Lewand said, declining to speak about Cutler before the deal with the bears went down. "A lot of teams say that. But the ones who are disciplined about that approach actually do it. So we have to be cognizant of that goal and that philosophy and have the discipline to stick to that.

"That doesn't mean you don't make trades. But it means you do so with the recognition you're giving away the opportunity to add to your core through the draft and the recognition that it's the most important way to construct a foundation."

Stafford, often compared to Cutler, went through a private workout for the Lions on campus at Georgia. By all accounts, he was impressive. The next day, the Lions had Sanchez make some extra throws for them at Southern Cal's pro day. By all accounts, he was impressive, too.

Lewand said he is still working on contract parameters with multiple candidates for the No. 1 pick.

"From our standpoint, it's about making the right decision, not when you make it," Lewand said. "So whether that decision gets made a week from now or shortly before the draft, it's less important than getting the decision right."