Jay Cutler receives 7-year deal
Jay Cutler will get a chance to grow in coach Marc Trestman's offense.
Set to become an unrestricted free agent, Cutler signed a seven-year contract with the Chicago Bears on Thursday, general manager Phil Emery announced.
"He's a demonstrated winner with the Chicago Bears. He can be a key player in terms of being the reason you win," Emery said.
Emery also said Cutler had his best season in 2013 not only because of stats but due to "leadership, his improvement, his display of toughness."
Cutler, who has played his last five seasons with the Bears after starting his career in Denver, recently said he wanted to stay in Chicago.
If Cutler didn't sign a new contract there was talk that the Bears could place the franchise tag on him.
Cutler also received full support from Trestman, who was in his first season as Bears coach. After Josh McCown played well while Cutler was sidelined with an ankle injury, Trestman went back to a healthy Cutler late in the season.