There will be better days ahead for Jay Cutler.

There can't be too many much worse than the 21-15 season opening loss to the Packers, when he was picked off four times by Green Bay's 3-4 scheme, the same scheme he will see in the home opener Sunday against the Steelers at Soldier Field.

The first-half offensive meltdown in front of a national TV audience wasn't what the Bears had in mind when they traded Kyle Orton and three high draft picks to the Broncos five months ago to get the Pro Bowl quarterback.

The second-half rise from the ashes was exactly what they were looking for, but it wasn't enough. An otherwise excellent defensive effort was obliterated on a single bad play at the worst time. And then, after it looked as if Cutler had finally gotten in sync with his receivers after a rocky start, he was picked off for a fourth time, clinching the loss.

Cutler's four-interception performance was the first of his NFL career, and he finished with just 17 completions on 36 attempts for 277 yards, 1 TD and a passer rating of 43.2.

Miscommunication with his still-new teammates accounted for some of Cutler's problems.

"It's still a learning process," Cutler said. "We haven't been together that long, but that's no excuse."

Bears coach Lovie Smith was asked if his new quarterback was trying too hard to win the game by himself.

"He was trying to make plays," Smith said. "Sometimes when you get off to a tough start and you have a couple of bad plays, you want to make amends for it. We needed to make plays throughout. Jay will play better the next time out."

After a three-interception first half, Cutler seemed to be finding his rhythm as he helped the Bears retake the lead 15-13 with 2:35 left. But that drive ended in a field goal instead of a touchdown after the offense bogged down inside the red zone.

"I still think we're going to be a good football team," Cutler said. "There's no reason to panic. One loss isn't the end of the season."