Bears GM Ryan Pace commits to Jay Cutler as starting quarterback for 2015

Jay Cutler won an important vote of confidence Wednesday at a  critical stage of free agency. 

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Pace committed to Cutler as the team's starting quarterback entering the 2015 season.

Rumors had been swirling about Cutler being shipped out of the Windy City for a less expensive, more dynamic player.

"We're moving forward with Jay Cutler as our starting quarterback," Pace said at a press conference introducing the signing of linebacker Pernell McPhee.

Cutler had been maligned by fans and Bears personnel alike for middling results. It can be argued the criticism of the 31-year-old is completely unfair, as he completed 66 percent of his passes for 28 touchdowns last season, both career bests.

However, Cutler also threw 18 interceptions, tied for the second-worst total of his nine-year career.

Armed with a new head coach and offensive coordinator in John Fox and Adam Gase respectively, Cutler has a chance to make a strong imprint on a new regime and steer the Trade Cutler bandwagon to a crashing halt.