Past conflicts add intrigue to Bears-Patriots joint practices

The New England Patriots and Chicago Bears have announced that the two teams will hold joint practices during the preseason on Aug. 15 and Aug. 16.

The Patriots will host the joint sessions, and have done so in the past with the New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But this year's preseason pairing could end up becoming more storied than usual.

Jay Cutler and Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels have had a heated history after spending a brief time together with the Denver Broncos. The current Bears quarterback requested a trade our of Denver soon after McDaniels was hired to be head coach, while McDaniels expressed no interest in keeping Cutler on the roster. The two traded jabs internally, and made backhanded comments to the media when provoked, including Cutler's admission that McDaniels couldn't be trusted.

Former Patriots backup quarterback Brian Hoyer - who also worked under McDaniels - was recently signed by the Bears as well.

The teams recently executed a trade, sending tight end Martellus Bennett from Chicago to New England after multiple reports of a feud with head coach John Fox. Bennett and Fox got off on the wrong foot when the tight end opted to skip voluntary offseason workouts and was accused of a lack of effort.

The Patriots signed linebacker Shea McClellin after he flared out of Chicago as a first-round draft bust, and coach Bill Belichick will be eager to show he can get more out of the former Boise State player than his Bears' counterpart.

It won't all be awkward for Bears and Patriots players. The Long brothers, Bears guard Kyle and Patriots defensive end Chris, will be competing in the trenches against one another, just like when they were kids.

Shortly after the joint practices, the Bears and Patriots compete in a Week 2 preseason matchup on Aug. 18 at Gillete Stadium in New England.