Cutler gets his guy Bates in Chicago

The Chicago Bears found an offensive coach Jay Cutler is going to be thrilled to team up with, that is for sure.

The club announced today that Jeremy Bates has been hired as quarterbacks coach, moving Lovie Smith one step closer to having his staff finalized.

Bates has a chance to interview to become the Bears’ offensive coordinator two years ago but declined the opportunity. He served as the offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks in 2010 and was out of football this past season.

Bates will work under newly appointed offensive coordinator Mike Tice. It’s interesting to note the Bears didn’t announce Bates has the title of “passing game coordinator,” something that was offered to former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Greg Olson when he was offered the job and turned it down last month.

Cutler and Bates worked together in Denver for three seasons with Bates serving as the quarterbacks coach for the final two seasons.

The Bears still need to hire an offensive line coach to work under Tice.

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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune