The Bears Den: March 11, 2015 - Offseason Chicago Bears news & notes

Forte worth new contract, but will he get it from Bears? - Adam L. Jahns: Third contracts can be difficult for running backs to attain, but Matt Forte just had a record-setting season despite being part of an inconsistent offense, and shows no signs of slowing down.

Bears free agent prudence, could prove to be virtue come the draft - David Haugh: The Bears have won too many Marches recently with nothing to show for it. They need to start winning more in November and December so they can play football again in January.  Dan Wiederer: Bears sticking to patient, methodical approach.  Adam L. Jahns: No need to overpay in free agency when you’re rebuilding.

Ranking the 16 greatest RBs in NFL history - Sweetness, plus 15 others. Vote early, vote often!

Follow WCG on Twitter; like us on Facebook (& click on 'Follow').  Den pic in hi-res.

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Jay Cutler expected to remain with Bears in 2015

Jay Cutler to QB Bears in 2015 - Chris Mortensen: The new staff has been enthusiastically making plans with a playbook it believes will accentuate Cutler's strengths with the available talent around him ... [Video] Adam Schefter's thoughts.

Time for Cutler, Bears to make best of situation - Michael C. Wright: Jay Cutler respects new QBs coach Dowell Loggains and OC Adam Gase, and has long wanted to work with both.

Cutler's security as starter the main question moving forward - Rich Campbell: Cutler wants to run play-action and keepers, using his athleticism and the threat of Matt Forte to move the defense. New OC Adam Gase gets this, and that will be an interesting development to monitor through the preseason.

Why Bears are probably stuck with Cutler this year - Bob LeGere: Cutting Cutler to save $10 million means the Bears would have to swallow this season's $15.5 million base to make him go away, and that doesn't make any fiscal sense.

Yes, Cutler is still Bears' QB - [Yes, Mike Imrem is still a worthless hack who steals yet another two minutes of my life that I'll never get back.  Save yourselves!  It's already too late for me.]

Cutler is the man again, so let's hope he can be useful - Rick Telander: You want to train a rookie QB to be a star? Fine. But that's what Geno Smith, Christian Ponder, Matt Leinart, Brady Quinn, Vince Young, J.P. Losman, Jake Locker, JaMarcus Russell, etc. were meant to be, too. And how would any QB fare on a team that has put the two worst defenses in franchise history on the field the last two seasons?

Most important Bears '15 plans for Cutler have zero to do with trades - Moon Mullin: What the Bears ask him to do behind center projects as the single most critical story line through the offseason for the 2015 Bears, not whether or if he should be traded.

[Video] - Moon Mullin analyzes Jay Cutler's return as Bears starter.

[Video] SportsTalk Live - Jay Cutler to be Bears starter in 2015.

[Video] ESPN - Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless with a sensible and rational discussion about the report that the Bears expect Jay Cutler to be the starting QB next season [Disclaimer: Contents may not match description].

Kyle Long: Offense 'all on board' with Cutler - (Tribune): "Game of Thrones" reference to send the message that he was solidly in Jay Cutler's corner draws quick response from Packers guard ... [Audio].

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Bearsss

Free agent spotlight: Pernell McPhee - Dan Durkin’s X&Os look at some of the qualities and traits of the Bears’ newest pass rusher.

[Audio] - Ravens Insider Aaron Wilson likes Bears' signing of Pernell McPhee.

Bears moving on from D.J. Williams - Jeff Dickerson: The Bears will not be bringing back MLB D.J. Williams, who is 32 and has struggled with injuries the past two seasons.

Bears bringing in Antrel Rolle for visit - Michael C. Wright: At 32, Rolle is still capable of handling slot receivers and TEs in man-to-man coverage and possesses enough speed to help out corners over the top.

Eddie Royal visiting Bears - Jeff Dickerson: Eddie Royal, a star return man on special teams, shined in his one season playing with Jay Cutler.  Dan Wiederer: Productivity out of the slot will help open up the offense.

[Video] - Moon Mullin discusses Eddie Royal's and Antrel Rolle's fits with the Bears.

Bears trade Brandon Marshall to Jets - Larry Mayer: Veteran receiver officially traded to the New York Jets along with a seventh-round draft pick in exchange for a fifth-round selection.  Patrick Finley: Takes veiled parting shot at Bears.

Bears lose Stephen Paea to Washington - Patrick Finley: Suspected the odds of returning were slim after the Bears selected two DTs in last year’s draft. John Keim: Chance to play in one-gap scheme and in nickel situations led to his decision.

Team free agency notes - Bob LeGere: Bears trying to land free-agent safety Rolle; Royal could reunite with Cutler and Gase; more on Paea, Marshall, Clausen, D.J. Williams.

Kyle Long thinks Bears are past locker room issues - (CSNChicago): [Audio] "We had some strange things go on last year" ... [Audio] Admits Bears need to run the ball more.

[Video] Inside the Bears - Former Bear Jerry Azumah and Lyndsay Petruny go indoor rock climbing and get a surprise when Anthony Adams crashes the shoot in a space suit.

Photos - ChicagoBears.com: The Bears would like to wish a happy 28th birthday to Martellus Bennett.

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Polish sausage

Draft preview - Frank Cooney with a close examination of an agile and athletic crew of defensive linemen.

Know thy enemies - Chris Boden: NFC North begins free agency almost as quietly as Bears do.  Moon Mullin: NFL offseason moves already register impact on Bears ’15 schedule.

Know thy enemy: Lions - Michael Rothstein: With the trade for Haloti Ngata, the Lions have taken the first step in recovery from the loss of Ndamukong Suh.

Know thy enemy: Packers - Paul Imig: 'Easy decision' for Davon House to leave Packers for chance to be No. 1 CB ... Rob Demovsky: Randall Cobb had multiple offers to leave ... No tender for disappointing pair of Jarrett Boykin, DuJuan Harris.

Know thy enemy: Vikings - Tom Pelissero: Adrian Peterson meets with owners Zygi and Mark Wilf and GM Rick Spielman.

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Hoppipolla is Icelandic for "jumping into puddles".