Bears deny asking Jay Cutler to rework contract

The Chicago Bears denied asking quarterback Jay Cutler to rework his contract hours after head coach John Fox seemed to hint they did, Patrick Finley of the Sun Times reports. 

"I’m not going to get into everything," Fox told reporters Wednesday. "Other than, there was ongoing contract talks and it had time limits. That’s all I’ll say."

Fox's comments sparked speculation and numerous reports suggesting the team asked Cutler to take a pay cut.

Not so, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports. The Bears simply spoke to Cutler - without his agent present - in the days before a clause in his contract kicked in and guaranteed much if his 2016 salary.

The Bears came away from the conversation convinced Cutler is their man, Rapoport says. 

Cutler is due to be paid $15.5 million for 2015, and $10 million of his $16-million salary in 2016 is guaranteed.