Saying his departure wasn't bitter, former Bears offensive coordinator Mike Martz told the Chicago Tribune on Wednesday that it was a mutual decision by he and the team for him not to return for a third season.
"I thank (coach) Lovie (Smith) for the opportunity," Martz told the newspaper. "There is nothing in our relationship that changed. It was just time for me to move on. We had two good years here."
Martz and the Bearsparted ways Tuesday. Smith released a statement, saying "we both felt it was best to move in different directions."
Martz mused about what might have been had quarterback Jay Cutler not broken his thumb Nov. 20.
"It's unfortunate things happened the way they did this year," Martz told the Tribune. "We were rolling there when Cutler got hurt. He was really doing well, and the entire team was.
"At that point, I think we were the most complete team in the league. Offensively, we finally came up to what we needed to be. We had some guys thrown in the offensive line who were playing well. Then it happened. Things happen."
Martz didn't discuss his future plans.
There had been much speculation during the season that Martz, who had an expiring contract, wouldn't return. Smith is searching for his fourth offensive coordinator entering his ninth season as the Bears' coach.