Cutler Settling In With Bears' 'Innovative' New Coaching Staff
By Chris Emma--
(CBS) Meeting with reporters after the Bears' voluntary mini-camp practice Tuesday in Lake Forest, quarterback Jay Cutler looked around at his surroundings -- some familiar, others unfamiliar.
"A lot of the same faces," joked Cuter to reporters. "I'm still here."
While plenty has changed at Halas Hall -- a new general manager, head coach, offensive coordinator and so on -- Cutler is still the Bears' starting quarterback, at least for now. New general manager Ryan Pace and coach John Fox made that declaration following a busy flurry of offseason activity.
Despite widespread changes to the Bears' personnel and schemes, the 10-year veteran appears to be returning for his seventh year in Chicago, barring any potential moves during this week's NFL Draft.
With Cutler in place leading the Bears' offense during this mini-camp, he's getting accustomed to a new coach and fifth offensive staff in Chicago. It includes offensive coordinator Adam Gase calling the plays and a quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains.
"Innovative, smart," Cutler said of his new offensive staff. "It's a joy to work with these guys right now."
Fox and his coaches got the Bears' revamped roster onto the field -- minus Matt Forte, Martellus Bennett and Jeremiah Ratliff -- for this week's voluntary mini-camp. For a new staff attempting to establish its methods and schemes, this could be considered valuable time.
"To be able to have this bonus mini-camp, being a new staff, has been really helpful," Fox said. "We're able to input our offense, defense and special teams schemes."
In the case of Cutler, this proves to be especially true. Cutler has often clashed with his coaches -- most notably Mike Martz and most recently Marc Trestman. The fallout last season was Trestman opting to bench Cutler in the season's second-to-last game.
Change swept through Halas Hall after the Bears finished with a 5-11 record, as Trestman and his staff were dismissed.
"Unfortunately, we've had it a few times here," Cutler said. "The guys that have been there, it's something they know how to deal with, it's something I know how to deal with. Whenever the news came that Fox was coming, the rest of the guys, it's exciting for us."
However, it was far from a certainty that Cutler would return this offseason. He was reportedly being shopped to multiple teams, but his $31.5 million guaranteed over the next two seasons made it a tough offer. Cutler's comfort blanket of a receiver, Brandon Marshall, was dealt to the New York Jets in March, offering proof that Pace was out to make changes.
So, did Cutler grow concerned over the possibility of being dealt this offseason?
"You never know," Cutler said. "You don't know how it's going to go. Especially (with a) new GM, new coaches, a whole different philosophy, maybe, a whole different way they want players to play. Who knows? You never know what's going to happen. But all the interactions I've had have been positive."
Of course, Thursday could possibly bring changes to Cutler's status as the Bears' starting quarterback. Chicago welcomed in quarterbacks Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota for pre-draft visits at Halas Hall, though both are projected to be off the board by the time the Bears' seventh overall pick is on the clock.
Despite the turmoil, 2014 was Cutler's best statistical season with the Bears. He threw for 3,812 yards and 28 touchdowns against 18 interceptions.
Still, possibilities are aplenty for which direction the Bears can go, both for this year and into the future. Cutler remains Chicago's starting quarterback, and he's feeling the pressure to perform at his best.
"I feel that every year," Cutler said. "Every year, you've got to figure out a way to get better, you've got to figure out a way to improve."
Follow Chris on Twitter @CEmma670.