Jay Cutler wants to retire as a Bear

With just 24 regular season games remaining on his contract, which will expire following the 2013 NFL season, quarterback Jay Cutler said on Friday that he hopes he can eventually reach a deal with the team that will allow him to retire with the Chicago Bears. Cutler, 29, told "Mike & Mike In The Morning" on ESPN Radio on Friday that he'd like to remain with the team for the remainder of his career:

"I've thought about (a new contract) a few times," Cutler said Friday on "Mike & Mike In The Morning" on ESPN Radio. "I don't want to do it in the middle of the season, but I also want to end my career as a Bear. We've got a lot of good guys on this offense, and I'd like to see where this offense can go and grow together and hopefully become one of the elite offenses in the NFL. But we've got to get through this season first and finish the business we already started."

After being traded to the Bears from the Denver Broncos in April 2009, Cutler signed a five-year, $49.77 million contract extension with the Bears in October 2009.

During his strong start to the 2012 season, Cutler became just the fifth quarterback to ever pass for 10,000 yards during his career with the Bears. Assuming he stays healthy, Cutler is on pace to pass both Jim McMahon and Jim Harbaugh on the franchise passing leaderboard to become second all-time in passing yardage with the team, behind only Sid Luckman.

In 2012, Cutler has completed 144 of 241 passes for 1,774 yards with 12 touchdowns and eight interceptions.