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

Bears running back Matt Forte had an uneventful Pro Bowl.

At least, the game's box score says so.

We would have verified Forte's production (2 carries, 6 yards) by viewing the prime-time contest, but a couple of more important issues arose while the meaningless game was on TV.

• Reorganize sock drawer
• Dust coffee table
• Watch dry paint remain dry

Anyway, the AFC apparently beat the NFC, 59-41, in a game that surely had fans buzzing for seconds. Forte added a 4-yard reception to his 6 yards on the ground, while teammate Charles Tillman tallied two tackles and recovered an onside kick in his first Pro Bowl in nine seasons.

Now, the news regarding Forte returns to his uncertain contract heading into next season. The Bears could place a one-year franchise tag on him if they are unable to agree to a long-term contract extension.

Look for new Bears general manager Phil Emery to address Forte's future when he is introduced to the media Monday at Halas Hall. The Bears announced Emery's hire on Saturday.

-Tom Musick

The Bears kicked off their second round of interviews Thursday as their search for a general manager has dwindled to two finalists.

New England Patriots pro personnel director Jason Licht returned to Halas Hall for his second meeting with Bears president Ted Phillips and other team officials. Licht has 16 years of NFL experience, including stints with Philadelphia and Arizona in addition to New England.

The other finalist for the Bears' general manager vacancy is Phil Emery, the Kansas City Chiefs' college scouting director. Emery was an area scout for the Bears from 1998-2004 before moving on to the Atlanta Falcons and then the Chiefs.

-Tom Musick

Bears defensive end Julius Peppers is going to the Pro Bowl after all.

Peppers learned Monday that he had earned his seventh Pro Bowl selection as a replacement for New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, who is headed to the Super Bowl. Peppers has earned back-to-back Pro Bowl selections in his first two seasons in Chicago.

One could argue that Peppers deserved a Pro Bowl selection long before Pierre-Paul's team advanced to the Super Bowl against the New England Patriots. Peppers finished the season with 11 sacks, five tackles for losses, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries despite receiving frequent double-team and triple-team blocking assignments from opponents.

Five other Bears players also were named to the Pro Bowl: Lance Briggs, Brian Urlacher, Charles Tillman, Matt Forte and Corey Graham.

-Tom Musick

The Bears signed special teams coordinator Dave Toub to a two-year contract extension Tuesday.

Toub, who joined the Bears in 2004, interviewed for the Miami Dolphins' head coaching vacancy several weeks ago. His special-teams units have earned top-10 rankings in six of eight seasons with the Bears, including No. 1 rankings in 2006 and 2007.

Bears kick returner Devin Hester has developed a close relationship with Toub, whose return schemes helped Hester to set the NFL's all-time record for return touchdowns. Five Bears special-teams players including Hester have earned Pro-Bowl selections during Toub's tenure.

-Tom Musick