Cutler on 7 year deal Were here to win

The Bears have made a long term commitment to Jay Cutler signing the veteran quarterback to a seven year contract general manager Phil Emery announced Thursday at Halas Hall.

We're very excited to have Jay for the long term Emery said. He battled through the tough times and kept fighting.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

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We're pleased it works for both parties Emery said of the deal. lt rewards Jay and it enables us to continue to build a championship team.

Cutler said it's been a fun ride with the Bears and that he's convinced the organization is headed in the right direction.

Cutler thanked the team and also his wife Kristin Cavallari who joined him at the news conference and cited her desire to remain in Chicago. He said getting married and having a son helped me mature.

Asked about the size of the deal and whether he could have pursued more money elsewhere Cutler said You get to the point where it's 'What's the most important part of your career ... Dollars ... Championships ' We're here to win.

We reached the amount of money that we're going to be taken care of. ... Whether it s $15 million or it s $22 million it s hard to spend all that in your lifetime.

Cutler then drew laughs by adding Kristin said she ll help.

The team also signed corneback Tim Jennings and left guard Matt Slauson Emery said adding that the majority of the work on all three contracts was done in the last three days.

Emery said the signings put the team on a road map to go forward and win championships.

After reciting some of Cutler's 2013 statistics (2 621 yards passing 63.1 completion percentage 19 touchdowns 89.2 passer rating) Emery said I see improvement in his ball security distribution to his targets and a transformation in his demeanor as a leader.

Emery said Cutler's contract was a key deal as far as how we manage our salary cap which is why the team moved quickly.

I think both parties wanted it to happen which is why it was able to happen in such a short time frame Emery said adding that he finalized his decision after seeing how well Cutler handled the pregame pressure and in game adversity when he returned from injury to help the Bears beat the Cleveland Browns on Dec. 15.

Calling Cutler a quarterback we can win with Emery said Jay doesn't have to be better than Aaron Rodgers. Our team has to be better than the Green Bay Packers.

Cutler asked if he knew he was being evaluated for his off the field behavior by Emery I was but I wasn't going to not be myself and put on an act.

Cutler likened his relationship with coach Marc Trestman to a marriage and said I'm happy to be married to him for seven more years.

Asked about the speed with which the deal was done Cutler said When both sides have equal footing and want to get things done it can come together quickly.

I'm happy we got it done Cutler said.

Cutler acknowledged his many critics saying Moving forward there will definitely be people that say this is the wrong move. That's fine. The people in this building will stick together and keep going in the direction that is right.

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