Thread: Cutler: 'It's going to be fun'

Jay Cutler on new-look offense: 'It's going to be fun' - chicagotribune.com

Cutler on new-look offense: 'It's going to be fun'

Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler got a chance to work with one of his new toys for the first time Monday.

Cutler, who appeared at Perspectives Charter School Calumet Campus on the South Side to educate students on diabetes, talked about how the offense is coming together this offseason. The Bears acquired Pro Bowl receiver Brandon Marshall via a trade with the Miami Dolphins, then drafted South Carolina receiver Alshon Jeffery in the second round.

Cutler worked with Jeffery during Monday's organized team activities (OTAs) at Halas Hall.

"It’s going to be fun," Cutler said of the offense. "We’re kinda putting things together now. OTAs are structured a little bit different now. We’re on air, for right now. We get it cranked up against the defense next week.

"Getting the young guy ... I got Alshon and got to see what he could do today. With Brandon, we know what Brandon is. Getting Matt (Forte) back at some point. We have the makings off a good offense."

New Bears quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates, who worked with Cutler in Denver, talked about moving Cutler out of the pocket more this season.

"To get back -- and I think we’re doing a lot of the stuff we were successful with in Denver -- kind of going back and looking at that film and trying to incorporate it with some of the stuff we’ve done here in the past. So it’s a lot of give and take.

"And (offensive coordinator) Mike Tice is kind of organizing and managing it all, and kind of putting it in a book. But every day, it’s different. It’s fun working with him. Mike Tice makes it very enjoyable. Brandon Marshall out there makes it fun. We have a really good group of guys and it’s fun to go to work."

Cutler still has concerns about the offensive line, which he hopes will come together smoothly. He is less concerned with Forte’s ongoing contract dispute. Forte, who was slapped with the $7.7 million franchise tag, has yet to sign his tender as he seeks a long-term deal.

"I’ve talked to him," Cutler said of Forte. "The last time I saw him, he said he was lonely. ... Matt’s got to do what Matt’s got to do for him. Maybe they get him to a deal; maybe they don’t. At the end of the day, we’ll have him first game."

The Bears finished 24th in total offense last season: ninth in rushing offense and 26th in passing offense. Cutler missed the last six games after undergoing thumb surgery to fix a fracture on his throwing hand.

Go Jay!