LAKE FOREST, Ill. – The Bears completed a key phase of their offseason program Wednesday when they conducted their 13th and final organized team activity (OTA) practice at Halas Hall.

Players will disperse following a team outing Thursday and then have six weeks off before reassembling July 31 for the beginning of training camp at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais.

Quarterback Jay Cutler has made a smooth transition to the Bears through the OTAs.

“Going in, we had some questions we needed to get answered about how some of our new additions would fit in and how some of our veteran players would come back,” said coach Lovie Smith, “and I think we have a better idea about a lot of those things.”

The Bears’ most prominent new addition, Pro Bowl quarterback Jay Cutler, displayed a firm grasp of the offense, a rocket arm, and the athleticism to make plays with his feet throughout the OTAs.

“Jay did a super job,” Smith said. “When he came here, I started evaluating him from that point on. Everything we’ve asked him to do, he’s been able to do. He’s been here every day working hard.

“Each day he worked more into a leadership role and I don’t think there’s any question right now what his role will be on this football team this coming season—to perform well. Of course, he can throw the ball, but just taking command of the offense and being that face that’s out front.”

Acquired in a blockbuster trade with the Denver Broncos April 2, Cutler joined his new teammates on the field four days later when the Bears kicked off their offseason program. The 26-year-old is pleased with the progress the offense has made, particularly during the last two weeks of OTA workouts.

“It’s been good,” Cutler said. “The first couple months we were just kind of out here on air. It’s good to go against your defense and kind of assess where you are and what you need to work on, but we’ve come a long way since I first got here, and it’s looking really good so far.

“I’m really comfortable. I think we’re kind of getting a feel for each other; the receivers, the o-line, the right ends. We’ve still got to touch up a few things, but we got a lot accomplished.”

No Bears pass-catcher was more impressive during OTAs than third-year tight end Greg Olsen, who quickly developed a rapport with Cutler both on and off the field.

“I really liked what Greg Olsen has been able to do this spring,” Smith said. “Of course we know his talent. But I’ve really seen him move more toward being a dominant player always.”

Smith also singled out running back Matt Forte, center Olin Kreutz, receiver Earl Bennett, and others on offense.

“[Left tackle] Orlando Pace came in ready to go,” Smith said. “He is a true veteran, a guy who will be in the Hall of Fame some day, and that’s how he has performed each day for us.

“Devin Hester, I don’t really feel like I have to answer a lot of questions about his growth as a wide receiver. He’s a legitimate No. 1 receiver I think, and I think we’ll all see that this coming season. I like the progress he has made throughout. We have other players, too. A guy like [backup running back] Kevin Jones has really stepped up. I feel like he’s healthy for the first time in a while.”

Defensive line coach Rod Marinelli instructs second-year tackle Marcus Harrison during an OTA practice.

Defensively, Smith lauded what new line coach Rod Marinelli has already accomplished.

“I talk a lot about Rod being one of our most important free agents that we’ve gotten in the offseason, and I think that held true,” Smith said. “He has done a super job with the line. I have seen improvement in all of our line.”

The Bears coach identified cornerback Zack Bowman and linebacker Jamar Williams as players who have “really stepped up and made the most improvement.”

“Zack Bowman has made a play it seems like just about every day we have been out here, as has Jamar Williams,” Smith said. “I really like what both of those players have been able to do.”

Smith also said that the injuries that kept players such as Forte, middle linebacker Brian Urlacher, defensive tackle Tommie Harris and cornerback Charles Tillman out of some of the OTA practices are “nothing major.”

Asked what he isn’t pleased about, Smith conceded: “Well, most head coaches feel pretty good, I realize that, at this point, once you finish up OTAs. [But] we still have to come together as a team.

“I’m excited about what we have done in shorts, [but] we need to get in pads. We’ll find a lot more about our football team then, especially with some of our linemen we brought in. But at this stage I think we’ve done about all we set out to do heading into this next phase in training camp.”