The new head coach of the Chicago Bears, Marc Trestman, was the first coach to address the media at the 2013 NFL Combine. Since being named head coach after the team fired Lovie Smith, Trestman has wasted no time evaluating players and deciding the new direction the team will go in. He expressed excitement about working with quarterback Jay Cutler and also the looming issue of Brian Urlacher's futur.
While Cutler has drawn a handful of criticism throughout his career for his inability to stay healthy and his negative body language, Trestman believes that all will not be an issue with him anymore.
"Everyone has an opinion on that. I'm excited to coach Jay. I've had a couple of opportunities to talk with him on multiple levels and excited to work with him in all facets of his game," Trestman said.
Trestman believes Cutler is a smart quarterback and the future of the Bears' franchise. He addressed many contract issues surrounding the team's marquee players. Team officials have not discussed extending Cutler's contract as he is set to become a free agent at the end of 2013. They are in the process of evaluating linebacker Brian Urlacher and his future with the Bears.
Urlacher has been the face of the Bears organization for 13 seasons. At 35-years old, Urlacher is set to become a free agent and the team must decide where he fits in to their future plans. His skills have begun to slip, but to many teams, he will still be an effective player. In 2012, he recorded a total of 68 tackles, seven passes defended and two forced fumbles. He also had an interception returned for a touchdown.
"That's an ongoing process. We evaluated our entire football team as much as we can without seeing him work, without having some formal time with him on the field. As we move forward through the process, through the process and the Spring, things are going to be resolved. But right now between Phil (Emery), the personnel department and myself and the coaching department, we continue to talk about these things and process the information," Trestman said.
In Trestman's previous duties as head coach of the Montreal Alouettes, he mentored several college quarterbacks as they prepared to enter the NFL draft. One player was New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow. Trestman would not address Tebow's situation directly as he is not allowed to discuss players that are under contract with another team.
"I had a great opportunity to spend some time with Tim and work with him at the time just out of college. I've really been away from it from a standpoint of even commenting what he's been through and where he is at this present time," Trestman said.
