Cutler has ties to new QB Coach

(MCT) — Jay Cutler has had a strained relationship with offensive coaches for the Chicago Bears, but Tuesday's hiring of Jeremy Bates as the team's quarterbacks coach gives him someone he's worked closely with in the past.

Bates worked with Cutler in Denver and he will serve under new offensive coordinator Mike Tice. Bates was out of the NFL durng the 2011 season after working as the offensive coordinator under Pete Carroll for the Seattle Seahawks for one season.

The Bears announced that Bates will coach quarterbacks but their statement made no mention of the passing game coordinator role that previously had been referenced.

The Bears took their time in landing Bates. The job -- along with the title of passing game coordinator -- was offered to former Tampa Bay Buccaneers' offensive coordinator Greg Olson but he turned it down to join Mike Mularkey's staff in Jacksonville.

The Bears also were rebuffed in their efforts to interview Tennessee Titans quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains. The team interviewed Alex Van Pelt, who served this past season as the quarterbacks coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Cutler worked well with Bates in Denver and had hoped Bates would come in 2010 when Mike Martz was hired as offensive coordinator. Bates turned down an opportunity to interview with the Bears and sources indicated it was because of a communication issue with former general manager Jerry Angelo.

Cutler at times clearly struggled with Martz and his relationship with former offensive coordinator Ron Turner deteriorated in their 2009 season together.

With Bates on board, the Bears nearly have their coaching staff in place. Yet to be named is an offensive line coach to work under Tice. That assistant will have the full title of line coach but Tice is expected to still have authority over the meeting room, similar to what defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli does with the defensive line.

Bates worked with Cutler for three seasons in Denver. In 2008, Cutler threw for a franchise-record 4,526 yards en route to the Pro Bowl as the Broncos had the second best offense in the NFL in terms of yards per game (395.8). Bates was his position coach that season.