Bears hire Bates
The Bears hired Jeremy Bates as quarterbacks coach Tuesday.
Bates, who most recently served as the Seattle Seahawks' offensive coordinator, was Jay Cutler's quarterbacks coach with the Denver Broncos from 2006-08. Cutler enjoyed his best NFL season with Bates in 2008, passing for 4,526 yards en route to his only Pro Bowl selection.
Bears coach Lovie Smith told the team's official website that he trusted Bates.
“His history with Jay was a big thing,” Smith said. “And not just history with Jay but a good history, a productive history with him helping Jay as a quarterback.”
Bates replaces Shane Day, who parted ways with the team at the end of the season along with former offensive coordinator Mike Martz. The Bears promoted Mike Tice to offensive coordinator after Martz's departure and said the new quarterbacks coach also would assist with play-calling in the passing game, although Tuesday's news release mentioned no such details.
In addition to his time in Denver and Seattle, Bates spent three seasons as an offensive assistant with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and one season in the same role with the New York Jets. He also spent time in the college ranks at USC as part of Pete Carroll's coaching staff.
-Tom Musick
