Incoming free-agent quarterback Jay Cutler is enthusiastic about the possibility of staying put with the Chicago Bears, the signal-caller said on the Jay Cutler show on ESPN 1000.

I'm confident in our ability [to get a deal done], and in [Bears general manager] Phil [Emery] and [team Chairman] George [McCaskey] and everyone over there that we'll find equal ground and get it worked out," Cutler said. "I don't know when it's going to happen, and eventually, it might not happen. But we're going to take a crack at it for sure.

Cutler covered 2,621 yards with 19 TDs but the Bears missed the postseason once again. Many experts predicted he will be likely out as the team's quarterback because of his inconsistency on the field.

Still, Cutler is bracing for the worst even though it means he won't play for the Bears any longer.

"I don't know if I'd be surprised [if I didn't have a deal by the start of the new league year]; maybe disappointed. But like I said, this is a business and we all know that. Everybody in that locker room knows that. We had guys [on Monday] cleaning out their locker who knew they would probably not be Bears next year. That's how it goes."