The date was Jan. 1, 2013, but it might as well be today. Or any day in the seven-plus years in between.
Bears general manager Phil Emery was explaining his decision to fire coach Lovie Smith when he was asked what he planned to do with quarterback Jay Cutler, who was entering the final year of his contract.
Emery said he would collaborate with the new coach, who would turn out to be Marc Trestman, but that he thought Cutler was a franchise quarterback.
‘‘Am I convinced that Jay has the talent to be that? Yes, I am,’’ Emery said.