Last offseason the Bears' new regime was actively seeking to ship Jay Cutler out of Chicago. After a year together, the team is fine being married to the quarterback for 2016.
"I think Jay knows that we have extreme confidence in him," general manager Ryan Pace said, via the team's official website. "We're going to continue to build the offense around him."
Cutler was likely not going anywhere regardless of the franchise's feelings, given that he's already due $10 million in guaranteed money for 2016 -- coupled with the fact that there is no logical replacement available. Cutler's 2015 performance makes him an easier sell him moving forward.
The quarterback enjoyed his best season with the Bears, throwing for 3,659 yards, and 21 touchdowns to just 11 interceptions -- he didn't have a multi-interception game until the finale.
"I think Jay played really well this season," Gase said. "I was happy with his performance."
Offensive coordinator Adam Gase earned much of the credit for curtailing the mistakes that plagued Cutler's career. The OC designed game plans to rely on the ground attack and getting the ball out quick.
With Gase getting serious consideration for a plethora of head coaching positions -- the Bears confirmed three teams have already asked to interview him -- there is some concern Cutler could revert to his old ways under a lesser handler.
Coach John Fox dismissed the idea that much on offense would change even if Gase leaves.
"Our systems aren't changing," he said.
As for the future beyond 2016, Pace noted that drafting a quarterback (the Bears pick No. 11 overall) is a possibility.
