Jay Cutler praised Mike Tice for his willingness to receive input from players. Tice took over the Chicago offensive coordinator job this offseason from Mike Martz, who was often criticized for his reluctance for debat on play-calling. "I have a little bit of input. Not much," Cutler said. "I've got a few things that I whisper in [Tice's] ear and he's always receptive of it. "At the end of the day we're going to do what's best offensively for us. No matter if a rookie has the idea, if Mike has the idea, or Jeremy or me. Whatever is going to work against a given defense, we're going to use it."

The Bears acquired defensive tackle Brian Brice in a trade with the Buccaneers today for an undisclosed 2013 draft pick. Price was selected in the second round (35th overall) of the 2010 NFL Draft by the Buccaneers out of UCLA. In 2011, he started 14 of 15 contests played registering 24 tackles (20 solo) and three sacks.

Brandon Marshall was the keynote speaker at the National Alliance on Mental Illness convention over the weekend. Marshall suffers from Borderline Personality Disorder. "Sometimes," Marshall told the attendees, "you have to hit rock bottom before things change in your life."

Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher told "The Waddle & Silvy Show" on ESPN 1000 that he won't have any limitations when camp opens. Urlacher missed OTAs as he recovered from the MCL and PCL injury in his left knee,

The Bears have agreed to terms with former third-round pick Lorenzo Booker. Booker has experience as a third-down back and a kick returner, but Chicago signed former Falcons return man Eric Weems this offseason as well.

The Bears have agreed to terms on a four-year, $32 million contract with Matt Forte, according to a source. Chicago had placed their franchise tag on the running back in March and the two sides had until Monday afternoon to reach a deal. Without a long-term deal, Forte would have had to play the 2012 season under the $7.749 million tender or sit out the season.

The Bears are expecting Brandon Marshall to help their defense as well as their offense. "I think it will help out a lot," cornerback Charles Tillman said of Marshall. "I think (Marshall) makes me better. He pushes me; he pushes our entire defense with his big style, big size ... his style of play, his physical-ness. "So, yeah, he definitely pushes us and he makes our defense a lot better; he makes our defensive backfield a lot better."

The Bears and Matt Forte are inching towards a new contract. The running back is "extremely close" to a long-term deal with the team, according to a source. Forte said Friday he planned to spend this weekend on phone with Chicago's front office, amid reports the sides had made "considerable progress." He has yet to sign his one-year, $7.749 million franchise tender.

Matt Forte said Friday he's hoping to spend the weekend on the phone discussing a new long-term deal with the Bears as the deadline for an extension approaches on Monday. "Hopefully, it will end up well," Forte told ESPN.com NFL Insider Adam Schefter. "And when? Hopefully by the 16th. That's the final date, so I'm looking forward to trying to get it done by then."