Quarterback Jay Cutler’s future is with the Chicago Bears.

“We’ve made that decision,” first-year general manager Ryan Pace said Wednesday at Halas Hall in Lake Forest, Ill. “We’re moving forward with Jay Cutler as our starting quarterback.”

Pace said he and head coach John Fox spent time with Cutler on a personal basis. Fox was convinced of Cutler’s willingness to work, that he has adequate intelligence and ability to get better.

The Bears were not as convicted in initial evaluations. At the Scouting Combine in Indianapolis last month, Pace and Fox both said they needed more time to make the final call on Cutler.

“This is a new group that’s coming together,” Pace said. “I think this was a process for us all. I don’t think there’s any fence-mending to be done.”

Pace denied the Bears offered Cutler to other teams via trade — “we never did that,” he said — and said the coaching staff is excited to move forward. That includes new offensive coordinator Adam Gase, who had input in the process, Fox said.

Cutler’s contract includes $15 million guaranteed this season and $10 million for 2016.

“We’ve made the commitment — time will tell for all of us,” Fox said. “I’ve watched Jay compete in the past. We’ve gained a lot of information moving forward. There’s a talent level there obviously we feel good enough to explore.”

The Bears were gathered to introduce outside linebacker Pernell McPhee, who signed a five-year deal worth $40 million. McPhee said he was looking for the right coaches and system to be as successful as he was in Baltimore, and found that in Chicago.

“If he needs me to play cornerback, I’ll play cornerback,” McPhee said.

At 6-foot-3, 285 pounds, McPhee can line up all along the defensive line and even outside linebacker. McPhee had 7.5 sacks as a part-time player with the Ravens last season, the first time he said he was fully healthy since entering the NFL as a fifth-round pick (165th overall in 2011).

Fox compared McPhee to Michael Strahan, the Hall of Fame defensive end he once coached with the New York Giants in 1997-2001.

Pace passed on comparisons, but found plenty to like about McPhee.

“He’s a highly productive, disruptive and versatile defender,” Pace said. “He hits the quarterback a ton. He’s an ascending player … I think he’s a well-rounded player, too.”