Bears confident Cutler's progess will go on

Jay Cutler had the highest passer rating and second-lowest interception percentage of his career this season working with Adam Gase, his fifth offensive coordinator in seven seasons as a Bear.

But Cutler may be working with his sixth offensive coordinator soon if, as expected, Gase gets a head-coaching job.

Concerns that the 10-year veteran quarterback would backslide without Gase are unfounded, according to Bears general manager Ryan Pace and coach John Fox.

"We have extreme confidence in Jay," Pace said. "Whatever the case is, if Gase leaves or not, we can (still) do a lot of things similar offensively. In regards to staff leaving and coaches leaving, we're always going to try to hire the best human talent.

"When guys are leaving here, that's going to happen when we're doing good things. It's up to us to find the best replacements."

The 38-year-old Pace then joked that the team could benefit from the experience of the 60-year-old Fox.

"One of the benefits of John being 100 years old," Pace cracked, "is he knows a lot of coaches around the league."

Fox said Cutler and the offense would carry on, even if Gase moves on because it's a collaborative effort on both sides of the ball.

"Our systems are our systems," Fox said. "They're not any individual's systems. Our systems aren't changing; offense, defense or special teams. You tweak, and you grow, and you adjust.

"You have to do that in this league because it's a fluid league. That's all part of coaching."

Cutler's numbers are more impressive considering his top three wide receivers - Alshon Jeffery, Eddie Royal and Marquess Wilson - missed a total of 19 games.

But Pace said that still wouldn't prevent the Bears from drafting a quarterback if the right one were available.

"I was happy with (Cutler's) performance, especially with a lot of injuries to our skilled players," the GM said. "He persevered through that. Jay played well.

"In regards to the draft, and I honestly mean this, it's always going to be best player available.\

"So if it's a quarterback, it's a quarterback. I've said before how important that position is, and that will continue to be the case."

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