“If you put a franchise tag on a player, that’s a player that you like,” Emery told ESPN 1000 in Chicago. “We like Jay. If you like a player, you want to move forward in a multi-contract year basis, not a short term.”

Cutler is earning $8.97 million in the final year of his deal with the Bears. According to ESPN, the non-exclusive franchise tag number for quarterbacks would be $16.2 million in 2014.

Cutler recently came back from an ankle injury that caused him to miss four straight games — a stretch in which backup Josh McCown played well and created a quarterback controversy in the Windy City.

Cutler is in his fifth season with the Bears after starting this career with the Broncos. He has had an up-and-down time with the Bears, but his quarterback rating of 89.8 this season is the best mark of his career.

“I’ve said it before: I’m convinced that Jay is a franchise quarterback,” Emery said. “... I think he’s grown in certain areas. When he’s been healthy and been on the field this year, he’s been playing at his highest level ever during the course of his career.”


TUCKER: 70-YARDER NO PROBLEM


Denver Broncos kicker Matt Prater set the NFL record for longest field goal with a 64-yarder just two weeks ago — a mark that hadn’t been topped in more than four decades.

But considering the comments of Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker, the hero of last week’s Monday night game, that new record might not last for long.

“If I pulled out the 8-degree driver — on a day when I'm feeling real fresh — I could probably hit one from 70 yards,” Tucker told USA Today. “I hit one from 70 yards in pregame in Detroit this past Monday night.”

Tucker kicked a 61-yarder in regulation — his sixth of the game — to help the Ravens beat the Lions 18-16 and boost Baltimore’s playoff hopes.

Tucker told USA Today he’s hit from 79 yards in practice in Denver. There’s still the possibility that the Broncos and Ravens could meet in the playoffs — so maybe he’ll get the chance to break Prater’s record this season.


BROWNS' BESS DONE FOR SEASON


Davone Bess had a disappointing and shortened first season with the Browns.

The wide receiver was placed on the reserve/non-football illness list Saturday, ending his season with two games left and after he missed practice time this week for "personal reasons." The Browns announced the move with Bess after traveling to New York to play the Jets on Sunday. The team gave no further details for Bess' absence or his abrupt end to his season.

The 28-year-old Bess was excused from practice on Thursday and Friday by Browns coach Rob Chudzinski, who said Josh Cooper and Greg Little would likely get most of the snaps at slot receiver, Bess' primary position. Bess will also miss the season finale at Pittsburgh.

The Browns acquired Bess in a draft-day trade from Miami in April, and Cleveland quickly signed the six-year veteran to a three-year, $11.5 million contract extension through 2016. The Browns coveted a sure-handed receiver and expected Bess would be both a playmaker and leader.

However, he leads the NFL with 14 drops while catching 42 passes for 362 yards and two touchdowns. In a loss at Kansas City, Bess dropped three passes and also muffed a late punt, costing the Browns any chance of upsetting the Chiefs.


GIANTS' HILL EXPECTED TO PLAY


Giants safety Will Hill was arrested Friday night on a warrant related to child support, but he is expected to play Sunday vs. the Lions, the New York Daily News reported.

According to the Daily News, a Giants spokesperson said Hill won’t be punished because the issue is “a private, personal matter that his is dealing with.”

Hill has been suspended twice with the Giants, including the first four games of this season for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy.

Contributors: Benson Taylor, The Associated Press