National Football League

For Cutler, Chicago is place to be

Published Oct. 21, 2009 10:46 p.m. ET

foxsports

Jay Cutler quickly learned Chicago is where he wants to be, and the Bears don't want to let him go. Acquired from the Denver Broncos in a blockbuster offseason trade, the quarterback is locked in through the 2013 NFL season after signing a two-year contract extension late Tuesday. Now, a relieved Cutler says he hopes to finish his career in Chicago and that he's "done with this moving stuff." The deal calls for approximately $20 million guaranteed and roughly $30 million in new money, according to a person familiar with the discussions. The person spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because the terms were not released. "I think it was mutual," Cutler said on Wednesday. "I wanted to be here a while and the Bears wanted me to be here a while. It worked out for the both of us." The 26-year-old Cutler was due about another $20 million for the remainder of the six-year, $48 million contract he signed as a rookie, although none of that was guaranteed. Now, he can earn up to $50 million over the next four-plus seasons, with $20 million guaranteed, and still be in line for another big contract if he plays at a Pro Bowl level. He also has a chance to supplement his income playing in one of America's biggest media markets. After a stormy split with the Broncos, Cutler had a few rocky moments while settling in with the Bears but he has lived up to the soaring expectations that accompanied him from Denver. He threw four interceptions in a season-opening loss at Green Bay. Since then, he's delivered as advertised while leading the Bears to a 3-2 record. He led the Bears to consecutive comeback wins over Pittsburgh and Seattle after the loss to the Packers while completing more than 70 percent of his passes, and he's chipping away at the losing reputation he developed in Denver, where he was 17-20. For the season, Cutler has completed 110 of 172 passes with 1,201 yards, 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions, which is about what the Bears expected from a quarterback who set the Broncos' single-season passing record (4,526 yards) while making his first Pro Bowl last year. His relationship with Denver was strained when coach Mike Shanahan was fired and eventually collapsed after new coach Josh McDaniels tried to acquire Cassel from New England in a three-way deal with Tampa Bay. Cutler eventually was traded to the Bears along with a fifth-round draft pick for quarterback Kyle Orton, two first-rounders and a third-rounder.