Bruce Arians surprised Bears didn't hire him, thinks highly of Jay Cutler

The Arizona Cardinals have won 22 games with Bruce Arians as head coach of the team. The Chicago Bears have won 13 in that same time period. Chicago actually could have hired Arians to be their head coach back in 2013. They had the first shot at him. They didn't, hired Marc Trestman, who was fired this past offseason and the rest is history.

In his conference call with the Chicago media, Arians spoke a little about the interview process.

According to ESPN's Jeff Dickerson, Arians thought things went very well in his interview.

"Yeah, I was" Arians said when asked if he was surprised he didn't get hired. "I thought when I left, I said, 'I don't think anything could've been any better throughout the whole day.' And I didn't look back thinking I did anything wrong in any way. It was just their decision."

When addressing the media in Tempe, Arians also indicated he didn't know what else he could have done, but he is pleased with the results. "I'm just happy they said no," he said. "I'm just excited to be here and doing the things we're doing with the guys we're doing them."

In the conference call, the topic if Jay Cutler came up. Arians was impressed with the much-maligned quarterback.

According to ESPN's Josh Weinfuss, Arians saw a guy who loves football, wants to win and is very bright.

"I met a guy that was very passionate about the game, wanted to win and was willing to do whatever it took to win," Arians said. "I always felt he might be the most misunderstood quarterback in the league."

Arians spoke on the changes Cutler has had to endure and how he has been publicly criticized by teammates. Were Arians the head coach, that would not have been allowed.

Arians isn't the only one pleased about how things have gone. Cardinals fans have to be. With two double-digit win seasons and a playoff berth, the team enters this season with big expectations. With Arians leading the way, things look good and the media has fun with him.

Good for the Cardinals and too bad for Chicago.