LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Smiles abounded Friday evening at Halas Hall when the Bears introduced new franchise quarterback Jay Cutler at a press conference that also featured Jerry Angelo and Lovie Smith.

Lovie Smith listens as Jay Cutler answers a question during Friday's press conference at Halas Hall.

The Bears won the Cutler derby in stunning fashion Thursday, acquiring the 25-year-old Pro Bowl quarterback in a blockbuster trade with the Denver Broncos.

“Each and every year our goal is the same: It’s to win the division, make the playoffs and win a championship,” Angelo said. “Yesterday we put ourselves in a position to take ourselves one step closer to doing that by making a trade with Denver. We feel very, very good about this.”

Calling the opportunity to join the Bears “a dream come true,” Cutler thanked the McCaskey family, Angelo, Smith and the rest of the organization for bringing him to town.

“I couldn’t be more excited,” said Cutler, who grew up in Santa Claus, Ind., rooting for the Bears. “I’m here to help this team win and bring a championship back to Chicago.”

Though Cutler’s relationship with the Broncos deteriorated in recent weeks to the point that it became irreparable and ultimately resulted in the trade, he thanked Denver owner Pat Bowlen and the team’s fans.

“I loved my time there,” said Cutler, who played three seasons for the Broncos after arriving as the 11th overall pick in the 2006 draft. “There’s been a lot said on my part and the Broncos’ part over the last couple of months. I think both sides would possibly do a few things different. But everything happens for a reason. That’s behind me. This is a dream come true for me and I’m looking forward to the future.”

Quarterback Jay Cutler displays his new Bears jersey Friday evening at Halas Hall.

The future in Chicago appears bright with Cutler, who earned his first Pro Bowl invitation last season while completing 62.3 percent of his passes for a Broncos-record 4,526 yards with 25 touchdowns, 18 interceptions and an 86.0 passer rating. Erik Kramer set the Bears record with 3,838 yards in 1995.

Cutler displayed his sense of humor when asked whether he recalled the last time expectations were so high for a Bears quarterback, saying: “I don’t think I was alive. It’s been a while.”

While some fans and media may disagree, Cutler doesn’t consider himself a savior.

“I don’t see myself as that at all,” he said. “In this league I’ve learned over the past three years it takes offense, defense, special teams and it takes great coaching. If you don’t have all four of those, you’re not going to go very far.

“Expectations are high everywhere in this league. Obviously in this town they’re going to be a little bit higher because of the fans and how much they cherish the Bears. But it’s going to take everyone in the locker room and everyone upstairs to get it done.”

A lot was written about Cutler—both good and bad—during his recent impasse with the Broncos. On Friday, he was asked to define exactly what type of person and player he is.

“I’m going to be a great teammate first,” said Cutler, who rejoins two former Vanderbilt teammates in wide receiver Earl Bennett and offensive tackle Chris Williams with the Bears.

“That’s one of the first things I try to do is earn the trust and respect of my teammates. If you can’t respect your teammates or you can’t trust them, you don’t have a chance on the field. That’s one of the first things I want to get across to these guys is I’m going to do everything possible to help us win ballgames.

“To the fans, more of the same. I grew up watching this organization, grew up watching these games. I love being a Chicago Bear. It’s always been something that I’ve dreamed of doing.”