Bears General Manager opened Marc Trestman's first training camp offering up this about the nearly dozen contracts expiring after this season:
"I do not anticipate any extension of contracts during the season."
After reporting to camp Thursday, Bears players reacted.
Quarterback Jay Cutler: "That's fine with me...there's a lot of things happening, there's a lot of change. It doesn't really matter what year you are in your contract you got to still go out and prove yourself, you got to play, each and every year you have to be consistent, got to sustain that the whole season, nothing's really changed on my part."
Cutler who got married earlier this summer invited both GM Phil Emery and Bears coach Marc Trestman to his celebrity wedding, but...
"It was not in my wedding gift. Maybe we haven't got it yet . You have a year to get the gift, maybe he's holding on to it!" Cutler said.
A risky approach by the Bears who are hamstrung by the salary cap, but GM Emery says if players produce they will get paid, and if that happens, it's a good problem to have.
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"I'm more excited that its my contract year" return man Devin Hester said, " I'd rather do my contract after the season is over. The way I'm feeling now I can boost my stock a whole lot from where I'm at now.
"I'm out here playing, I'm happy, I'm having fun. And when you get a happy Devin Hester you don't want to get rid of him."
Kicker Robbie Gould did not sound so happy after he says he approached the Bears asking to renegotiate his expiring contract, insinuating he would take a pay cut.
"It's not rocket science, no one's going to get a deal. I'm motivated, I got a chip on my shoulder, I'm ready to play. I'd love to stay a Bear, that's always been my goal."
Cutler, Gould, and Hester are joined by Charles Tillman, Roberto Garza, Corey Wootton, Craig Steltz, Major Wright -- all vying for a big season to cash in after.
