Chicago Bears general manager Phil Emery has revealed that he has not ruled out the use of the franchise tag on quarterback Jay Cutler at the end of the season.

Cutler's deal with the club expires at the end of the current campaign and both parties are yet to agree a long-term contract, but the Bears could apply the tag that would keep him at the club for another year.

"I didn't say that I would rule it out," Emery told ESPN. "I said it's not the first thing we would think about in signing players that we like.

"If you put a franchise tag on a player, that's a player that you like. We like Jay. If you like a player, you want to move forward in a multi-contract year basis, not a short term."

Cutler recently returned from an ankle injury to dislodge backup Josh McCown, who had impressed in his absence.