"Two years after he declined an interview opportunity with the Bears to be their offensive coordinator, Jeremy Bates has been hired as quarterbacks coach.

That reunites the young assistant with the quarterback who always has spoken highly of him and brings the team a step closer to completing Lovie Smith's coaching staff with a little more than two weeks before the start of the NFL scouting combine.

Bates, 36, rejoins forces with Jay Cutler after previously spending three seasons with him with the Broncos, the final two as the quarterbacks coach."