(670 The Score) What the Bears are doing offensively now is fairly simple -- and also an important step forward for coach Matt Nagy.
"Let's work to our players' strengths and let's go ahead and adjust schematically," Nagy said.
Nagy came to Chicago in January 2018 after leading an offense in Kansas City that had great success and dynamic playmakers. With great belief in the scheme, Nagy attempted to fit the Bears' pieces into place.
Over the course of Nagy's first two seasons in Chicago, the Bears' offensive identity was instead completely lost. Nagy built a scheme around the caliber of quarterback he believed Mitchell Trubisky to be rather than catering to his strengths. The Bears lost any semblance of balance by throwing the football nearly 200 more times than they rushed it in 2019.
The entire offense faltered, and Nagy had to go back to hit the reset button. He came back with a focus on running the ball, and the Bears have done that well through two games, averaging 4.7 yards per carry. They're operating more with multiple tight ends in their sets, which helps keep defenses off balance.
Meanwhile, Nagy is utilizing Trubisky's mobility better with play-action opportunities built off the renewed running threat. The Bears are using the running game to open up the passing attack.
"They changed the whole offense around Mitch," Bears running back Cordarrelle Patterson said. "Just focus on what Mitch is good at. And I like it.
"We’re just trying to do things different his year."
The NFL is considered a copycat league, and the Bears picked a good team to replicate. Nagy has drawn inspiration from the 49ers, who went to the Super Bowl last season by riding a dynamic running game and simply playing to the strengths of quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.
The 49ers had 498 rushing attempts compared to 478 passes in 2019. Garoppolo was efficient, completing 69.1% of his passes and averaging 248.6 passing yards per game. San Francisco rushed for 144.1 yards per game. Chicago has averaged 142 total rushing yards through two games this season.
The Bears haven't had a breakthrough for their offense by any means. They produced three touchdowns in the fourth quarter of a comeback win against the Lions in their season opener but had been kept out of the end zone in the three quarters before that. The Bears then jumped to a 17-0 lead on the Giants last Sunday before they were shut out from there, barely holding onto a victory.
But the Bears have a foundation set on offense because they at least have a plan. Rather than panicking with passes, Nagy is remaining committed to the run.
The Bears' offense is a work in progress, but there are positives emerging so far.
"We're figuring out right now," Nagy said. "And it's nice to be 2-0 while you're doing it."
Open field: What's left for Trevathan?
Since joining the Bears in March 2016, linebacker Danny Trevathan has been a beating heart for the defense. Trevathan has typically played nearly all of the Bears' defensive snaps when healthy and been a consistent performer. But it seems the Bears see the 30-year-old Trevathan as a different player these days, only six months after signing him to a three-year contract extension.
Trevathan played in just 48% of the defensive snaps last Sunday, and it's a trend that could continue. Bears defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano indicated Trevathan will continue to sub out in certain packages while having a limited workload overall.
"Our goal is to make sure that he can play 20 games this year," Pagano said.
With Trevathan on the sidelines Sunday, the Bears employed a third safety on 38% of their snaps, with Deon Bush often lined up as the nickel. Trevathan hasn't looked like himself through two games, lacking the kind of speed and explosiveness that has brought him success since entering the NFL in 2012.
The Bears plan to offer Trevathan veteran's days of rest on a more frequent basis, Nagy said. Their hope is to find more fresh legs as the season progresses. Meanwhile, the Bears are hoping Trevathan puts two poor performances behind him.
"I have all the confidence in the world in my guy Danny Trevathan," linebacker Roquan Smith said.
4-down territory
1.) Giving out the game ball
A tradition formed by Nagy and the Bears a few years ago was unearthed this week.
Nagy had a game ball and letter delivered to the Tulane football program, offering appreciation for its work with Bears rookie receiver Darnell Mooney. It's something Nagy began doing when he arrived in Chicago three years ago.
The letter to Tulane was addressed to coach Willie Fritz and written days before Mooney made his NFL debut.
"It's just a small little way to thank them for allowing us to be able to enjoy the kids that they helped raise and grow at the time in their universities," Nagy said. "It's just a small little gesture that I hope they appreciate.
"That's what it's all about. When they leave these schools, they're still family."
2.) Confident rookie
Rookie cornerback Jaylon Johnson has played in just two NFL games. Falcons receiver Julio Jones is a seven-time Pro Bowl selection.
But Johnson is hoping for the opportunity to measure up with Jones, whom he views as "one of the best receivers of this generation." Johnson has deep respect for Jones but wants the challenge of facing him.
"At the end of the day, he bleeds the same way I bleed," Johnson said. "So I'm just going to go out there and compete. I mean, he's the best, and I consider myself one of the best. We've just got to match up."
Jones' status for Sunday is in question as he works back from a hamstring injury.
3.) Still in a standoff
What's the latest on the contract negotiation front between top receiver Allen Robinson and the Bears?
"We know where we stand at this point," Robinson said Wednesday. "Right now, I'm just trying to focus on the Falcons."
Where the sides stand at this point appears to be far apart, with Robinson's side and the Bears not making progress on a new deal.
"We just continue to hope that the contract gets figured out because we want 12 here," Trubisky said.
4.) No respect?
The veteran Patterson has been a strong supporter of his quarterback Trubisky. Now, Patterson is wondering why Trubisky isn't getting greater praise for the Bears' winning start to the season.
"Hats off to Mitch because to this day we’re 2-0 and people still hating on him," Patterson said. "It’s hard to get to 2-0 in this league, man. Like I say, just Mitch just keep grinding. Just keep doing your thing dog because I’ve got your back."
Quote to note
"I like the mentality of our team right now. I like where we're at. I also like the fact that no one is satisfied. There's not anybody in this building right now that's happy that we're 2-0. They know that this thing is a marathon." -- Nagy on seeking improvement
Injury report
OLB Khalil Mack (knee) -- While Mack should continue to play each Sunday, it seems his knee issue may not be going away any time soon. It's worth wondering how badly this has affected him through two games.
Prediction (2-0): Bears 28, Falcons 24
The Bears aren't a particularly good team through two games, but the arrow appears to be pointing up. They'll get to 3-0 in an exciting game in Atlanta.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.