Although Holmes is an established veteran who was named Super Bowl XLIII MVP while playing with the Steelers, he isn't expecting the Bears to hand him a job without him earning it.

"You have to prove yourself every day, whether you're a nine- or 10-year vet or if you're a first-year rookie coming in," said Holmes, who was selected by the Steelers in the first round of the 2006 draft. "Each and every opportunity that presents itself in front of you, you have to be willing to take advantage of it."

In joining the Bears, Holmes knows that forming a bond with Cutler is vital.

"It's going to be big," Holmes said. "I know what he has to offer and I have to prove to him what I have to offer to the team, which is showing up, being on time, being accountable, catching every pass from him and showing him how hard I want to work on offense.

"I'm excited to be here with him. He's taken me under his wing. He's talked to me and kept me close. I'm pretty sure it's going to be exciting for us all."

Holmes has had some issues with teammates and brushes with the law during his NFL career, but the Bears are not concerned with his character.

"We've spent time with him," Trestman said. "People change. They get into new venues, new environments. You're out for a while you get a hard look at where you are, not only in your work life as well as in other aspects of your life.