By Andrew Seligman
Associated Press
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) ó Jay Cutler grew up rooting for the Chicago Bears in Santa Claus, Ind.
Now, he has a fresh start after a stormy exit from Denver, and his favorite team has the franchise quarterback it craved.
One thing, though.
While some Chicago fans see him as a savior, the new quarterback has a different view.
“I don’t see myself as that,” Cutler said Friday.
The Bears dealt quarterback Kyle Orton along with two first-round draft picks and a third-rounder to the Broncos for Cutler and a fifth-rounder on Thursday. They also agreed to a three-year contract with free-agent Orlando Pace, filling a hole on the offensive line with a seven-time Pro Bowler from St. Louis.
Two big moves. One big statement.
The Bears showed they’re serious about contending in the NFC after missing the playoffs the past two years, and in Cutler, they finally have a top-tier passer after a decades-long search.
“Time will tell if he’s going to be a franchise play,” general manager Jerry Angelo said. “We’re certainly hoping that’s the case. But what we do know is we got a winning quarterback and we feel very good about that.”