Mike Martz hired as Bears offensive coordinator

[Nick]

Per Chicago Tribune and NationalFootballPost reporter Brad Biggs.

[general counsel]

Great hire for the bears in my view. If it doesnt work out, Lovie is in no worse shape than he is right now (ie essentially out the door). There is no one alive that is better with qb's than martz.

ramming speed to all

general counsel

[r8rh8rmike]

Updated: February 1, 2010, 4:30 PM ET
Bears hire Martz as new OCComment Email Print Share ESPNChicago.com

The Chicago Bears hired Mike Martz as their offensive coordinator on Monday, the team confirmed.

Martz interviewed with the Bears on Friday then traveled to Nashville, Tenn., to speak with Bears quarterback Jay Cutler. Martz, working for the NFL Network, had criticized Cutler's comportment after the quarterback threw four interceptions in a season-opening loss at Green Bay.

The hiring ends a prolonged search that included an interview with Minnesota Vikings quarterbacks coach Kevin Rogers. The Bears also were interested in former Denver Broncos quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates, who worked with Cutler in Denver, but Bates went to the Seattle Seahawks with Pete Carroll after serving a season on USC's staff.

The Bears also interviewed the Cincinnati Bengals' Ken Zampese and the San Diego Chargers' Rob Chudzinski.

Martz is a former St. Louis Rams head coach and offensive coordinator. The Rams won a Super Bowl with Martz as the offensive coordinator and lost a Super Bowl when he became head coach.

Martz hired Lovie Smith as the Rams defensive coordinator.

"Even though I've never worked with Mike Martz, I'm in favor of the Bears hiring anybody that can get us back on the right track, and hopefully back to a Super Bowl," Bears tight end Desmond Clark said. "Mike Martz has a great track record, and I'm excited to see how this offense could grow in 2010."

[r8rh8rmike]

I agree GC, good hire by Lovie, who's on the hot seat in Chicago. He's really got nothing to lose and everything to gain here. Martz and Smith get along, so this should be a peaceful co-existence, something Mad Mike hasn't had as an OC the last few tries.

It will be very interesting to see what Martz can do with Cutler, and a very mediocre receiving corps.

[laram0]

Great hire by the Bears. As long as Lovie gives Martz the full control of the offense which in turn would allow him to focus on the defense. The Bears will be a force to reckon with.

Welcome back to the NFL Mad Mike!!!!

[jmk321]

The Bears are the old Rams now. Just without all of the talent.

[Nick]

As if Matt Forte's fantasy football stock couldn't have fallen any lower after this season...

[tomahawk247]

As if Matt Forte's fantasy football stock couldn't have fallen any lower after this season...

I think Forte has hardly anything to worry about compared to Greg Olsen!

[txramsfan]

If anyone can turn Jay Cutler around, it's Martz.

[Trevor]

Bring back Mike Martz!!

[Warner4prez]

If anyone can turn Jay Cutler around, it's Martz.

I dunno about that one. I think Cutler has a different skill set altogether than Martz's previous QB's. Warner, Bulger and Kitna were all pocket passer smart guys with good accuracy and so-so arm strength. Cutler throughout his career thus far has shown he's much more comfortable out of the pocket and making plays rolling out.

That and Martz was already on his case during last season so who knows how that will pan out.

[RebelYell]

As if Matt Forte's fantasy football stock couldn't have fallen any lower after this season...

I never have understood this thought process but I hope your thinking spreads through my fantasy league. After all, Faulk was a loser of a RB when Martz was his head coach, right?