Loggains would be logical Gase replacement for Bears

Quarterback Jay Cutler has already worked with five offensive coordinators since he came to the Bears in 2009, so he's not looking forward to starting over again if current OC Adam Gase leaves for a head-coaching job.

But he knows Gase has earned a shot.

"You never know until you get into that role, but I'm sure he'd be similar to what he is as an offensive coordinator," Cutler said. "I think he's going to be good. If he gets that shot, I'm excited for him. I think he deserves it."

The 37-year-old Gase has had success in a variety of schemes with some very different quarterbacks over the years.

"He's done some really good things in this league, and they speak for themselves, whether it's Tim Tebow or Peyton (Manning) or myself or Kyle Orton," Cutler said, rattling off the names of Broncos quarterbacks Gase has worked with. "Whoever he's worked with, he's found ways to manage the system and make them successful."

But what becomes of the Bears' offense if Gase leaves?

Quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains was the Tennessee Titans' offensive coordinator in 2013 and for the final five games of 2012. For three years prior to that, Loggains was the Titans' quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator.

This year, the 35-year-old Loggains gets some of the credit for what has been Cutler's best season as a pro.

"He's done a tremendous job," Fox said. "That credit spreads around. The staff has done a good job, considering some of the things (injuries) that have happened to us this year. Dowell is with Jay every day in meetings, game planning, fundamentals, some of the pocket-presence things that we talk about. Dowell has had a lot to do with that."

Promoting Loggains would probably make for the most seamless transition, should Gase depart.

"He's a sharp coach," Fox said. "He's been a coordinator before. He understands the game. He's been around a lot of really good people ... people that I know and respect. He brings a lot to the table."

Loggains would also provide some continuity for Cutler, whose passer rating (92.8) and interception percentage (1.7) this season are the best of his 10-year career.

"He's extremely talented, bright and has a lot of energy as well," Cutler said. "He's been around quarterbacks for a long time, played the position in high school, has been around really good coaches his entire career, been blessed in that regard.

"He's a sponge. He took all the good stuff from all the coaches (he's worked with). I'm not saying that he doesn't make his mistakes because we all do. But he's done a really good job of managing our room, from the three (quarterbacks) to me, and he works well with the rest of the coaches developing the (game) plan. I think Adam would testify to it that he's been a large help to me and him both."

What the vertically challenged Loggains lacks in height, he more than makes up for in personality and smarts.

"He's got a great personality," Fox said. "He gets along with people. He has good people skills. He's funny. He handles the short jokes really well. He's a tremendous football coach as far as his knowledge, so he gets instant credibility and respect from players, because they know he can help them."

If Gase goes, Cutler and the rest of the offense will appreciate that kind of help.

• Follow Bob's Bears reports on Twitter @BobLeGere.