Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher believes the Jay Cutler controversy could pull the team even closer together next season as it attempts to build off its NFC Championship Game berth. "We're such a close team, and I think we know how to put things behind us," Urlacher said Friday on "The Waddle & Silvy Show" on ESPN 1000. "Stuff in the media just makes us stronger as a team, pulls us closer together, gives us something to build on." Cutler left Sunday's 21-14 loss to the Packers with a sprained left MCL, but was criticized for his toughness. "It [ticked] me off," Urlacher said. "I didn't think it was warranted. "Anyone who knows Jay and has played with Jay and seen the hits he's taken in his career knows he's not a sissy. He's a tough guy. He goes out there every day and doesn't say anything about what's going on, just practices and plays and goes about his business. It really frustrated me. I didn't think it was warranted, but that's just the way -- with all the social networking now -- it's the way things go."