(670 The Score) The Bears have struck the right tone all season in assessing their play and what lies ahead.
They've continually referenced the need to stick together and seek improvement amid their uneven play. They've often cited their winning record as why they're so encouraged, as they started 3-0 before improving to 5-1 and now sit at 5-3 entering their matchup against the Titans on Sunday.
The Bears stand confident that they can improve and become a championship-level team. Defensive lineman Akiem Hicks even used the word "elite" when describing what he believes the team can become.
But it's time we start accepting the Bears for what they are -- a collectively underwhelming team trending toward 8-8. There appears to be no fix for an offense that's fundamentally broken with poor offensive line play, inconsistent quarterback production regardless of who's under center and a play-caller who can't find a rhythm.
For as great as the Bears defense can be, the offense will continue to hold the team back. These are the same Bears as so many teams before them, once again mired in mediocrity.
Two years ago, the Bears seemed to be opening up a championship window. They had a new coach in Matt Nagy bringing an identity to Chicago, a young quarterback in Mitchell Trubisky who appeared to be growing into a franchise arm and a defense poised for dominance. The Bears went 12-4 that season and had what appeared to be great promise ahead of them even after a heartbreaking loss to the Eagles in the wild-card round.
These two seasons since have instead been marked by unfulfilled promise and disappointment. There seems to be no route to Chicago proving itself as a Super Bowl contender this season. The Bears could still be a playoff team in the expanded 14-team bracket, but they're currently on the outside looking in entering Week 9 action.
When the Bears traded for star pass rusher Khalil Mack just before the 2018 regular season, they also signed him to a record-breaking extension, aligning the deal with Trubisky's rookie contract. Those two players were supposed to lead their respective units to great play and the team to championship contention.
Without consistently strong quarterback play, the Bears have failed their offense, defense and championship window. They're currently a winning team with an offense that ranks among the NFL's worst. Like last season, this one underscores an opportunity passing them by.
It's not too late for a turnaround, but the Bears don't seem capable of becoming the team they talk about.
Open field: Taking every precaution
Before Bears center Cody Whitehair tested positive for COVID-19 this week, he was treating the virus seriously.
The Bears believe that Whitehair's strict adherence to health protcols -- wearing a mask inside Halas Hall, keeping a distance from teammates within the facility and creating a bubble at home -- is why they avoided an outbreak. It's something veteran safety Tashaun Gipson noticed.
"That's just a testament to how Cody was," Gipson said. "You know he had on the mask, he made sure that he had everything going on to make sure that he protected himself even though I don't think he knew he had it. But he's a pro's pro.
"Do the things that are necessary to keep the team safe. He's a guy who'll do it. So that's why it wasn't a complete outbreak."
While professional athletes usually aren't the most vulnerable to the virus, some of their family members are. Bears linebacker Danny Trevathan has a fiancée who deals with asthma, which has been one of his concerns in playing this season. The Bears have been mindful of their teammates, coaches and staff members.
It's a lesson for the rest of society as the virus continues to take its toll. Simple gestures to protect others and their families can help slow a significant spread.
The Bears believe Whitehair's actions prior to testing positive helped them avoid an outbreak.
"If you do that, then you’re not giving it to somebody else," Nagy said. "That's what he did. He didn’t know he had it. He had his mask on, and it helped out other people. And that’s a good thing.”
4-down territory
1.) King Henry
The Bears know well what they're up against Sunday. They're facing a running back in Derrick Henry who's 6-foot-3, 247 pounds and turns up his speed in the open field.
"We’ve all seen the highlights of what he can do to guys," Bears rookie cornerback Jaylon Johnson said. "I mean, at the end of the day, we’ve got to attack him and not let him deliver blows to us and get after him from the jump.
"I don’t think there is another running back built the way he is."
Added Gipson: "Honestly, I think that he’s the best running back in football right now, and I think rightfully so."
Henry is averaging 4.8 yards per carry and has rushed for eight touchdowns in seven games. Chicago's rush defense ranks 16th in the NFL. That unit will be playing without nose tackle John Jenkins, who was ruled out with an ankle injury.
Defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano indicated his group has set goals against Henry but declined to reveal what those are.
"Can you totally shut the guy down? I don’t know," Pagano said. "We’re going to try to do that. Just so everybody knows, we don’t want to give up one blade. We’re going to defend every blade of grass."
2.) What's next for Trubisky?
Trubisky received some good news Thursday when respected orthopedic surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache informed him surgery won't be required to repair his right shoulder injury.
Trubisky won't be placed on injured reserve, Nagy said. That indicates he could be back with the Bears within the next three weeks. So, what happens once he returns?
Nagy had an idea in mind last Sunday when he drew up a designed carry for Trubisky, which was the play that resulted in his injury. An offense that has struggled to consistently move the football could benefit from having a change of pace at quarterback.
Trubisky has averaged 5.7 yards per carry in his career. He's also the kind of talented athlete who could offer the Bears their own version of Taysom Hill if that role were to evolve.
3.) Ridley me this
Opportunity is finally knocking for Bears second-year receiver Riley Ridley, who will be active for the first time this season Sunday.
Ridley's chance has arrived after the Bears lost receiver Javon Wims to a two-game suspension and released veteran Ted Ginn Jr.
"Not only do I know we may need him to step up to help us win this week, but I'm really pulling for him personally," offensive coordinator Bill Lazor said.
4.) Kudos to Nagy
Mack expressed what many Bears feel about Nagy's leadership in working to keep his team safe from COVID-19.
“Nagy is a hell of a guy," Mack said. "He understands the responsibility that we all have to keep each other safe and we have to keep our families safe as well. That’s the mindset you want to have from your head guy, understanding the situation and understanding what it’s going to take to keep not only just the players and the staff safe but our families safe as well."
Quote to note
"Expect the unexpected."
-- Nagy on the challenges of navigating through this season
Injury report
QB Mitchell Trubisky (right shoulder) -- It was good news that Trubisky won't require surgery. In his absence, Tyler Bray will be activated as the backup quarterback.
DT John Jenkins (ankle) -- The Bears know the importance of having a stout nose tackle when facing a rusher like Henry, so they'll certainly miss Jenkins on Sunday.
TE Cole Kmet (groin) -- Kmet's injury came out of nowhere and was a tough blow. He was listed as questionable and hasn't been ruled out just yet.
C Sam Mustipher (knee) -- The second-year center Mustipher played well in his first NFL start Sunday, but he could now miss multiple games.
DL Roy Robertson-Harris (shoulder) -- Another loss on the Bears' defensive line will challenge their depth. Look for Brent Urban to take on an even larger role.
Prediction (6-2): Titans 28, Bears 17
The Bears will struggle to stop Henry, and their offense will sputter once again. Chicago is heading for its third straight loss.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.