Chicago Bears quarterbacks coach Matt Cavanaugh has expressed his belief that Jay Cutler has made "incredible progress" since the club changed their coaching staff last season.

The 30-year-old had one of his best statistical seasons since he arrived in the NFL in the 2006 campaign, but was sidelined for five matches with an ankle injury in the middle of the season.

Cavanaugh told reporters: "I've seen incredible progress. When we got in here last year and evaluated him, we had a real good conversation with him about certain things that every quarterback should do.

"We said, 'Jay it might not be natural, but we want you to try it.' And he did."

Cutler threw for 2,621 yards along with 19 touchdowns to 12 interceptions in 11 games in the 2013 season.