GLENDALE, Ariz. (670 The Score) -- Fans of these Bears will travel wherever their team goes, no matter its place in the standings, but their showing Sunday at State Farm Stadium was especially impressive.
One of the loudest roars from the fans came in the third quarter of the Bears' 16-14 victory over the Cardinals as quarterback Mitchell Trubisky worked a play-action fake to Jordan Howard, stepped back within the timing of the play and hit top target Allen Robinson in stride for a 39-yard gain.
The reaction was the celebration of a big play and exhale of sorts: Finally! It was the kind of throw that fans expect from Trubisky but have wondered why they haven't seen more of.
"I know people don't understand this: It takes time," coach Matt Nagy said afterward. "And we will get this. When we figure it out and we get it, it will be fun."
Haugh: Special Bears defense compensates for underwhelming offense, Mitchell Trubisky
Sunday revealed a Bears team quite familiar to viewers, with a defense ranging between really good and "special" -- a word Nagy offered -- and an offense that needs its quarterback to step up.
The Bears spent this offseason providing Trubisky all the structure they believed would reveal his potential. Instead, questions have already surfaced as to whether the Bears have a franchise quarterback or just another player at that position.
Trubisky finished the game 24-of-35 for 220 yards with an interception and fumble. The Bears overcame a 14-0 hole thanks to another strong showing from the defense, which was waiting for its offense to pick up the slack.
Still, Nagy continues to offer his support for Trubisky and what the offense can become.
"We're getting better right now," Nagy said. "He's getting better. I'm proud of him and that offense for sticking together when times were tough to do what we had to do to get the win."
Trubisky was a bit more candid in assessing his play.
"We know we're not even close to where we want to be on offense," he said.
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The Bears are waiting for Trubisky to play with greater poise within the framework of the offense. That was be reflected in working carefully through his reads, showing comfort in the pocket and throwing with the precision for which he was praised for coming into the league.
What the Bears really want from Trubisky is for more plays like that throw to Robinson, the type in which he uses the situation to his advantage to catch the defense off guard and hit a receiver in stride downfield.
The fans demand it, the defense needs it and the coach believes it's on the way. Nagy keeps telling Trubisky that a breakthrough is in sight.
"I believe in Coach all the way," Trubisky said. "Whatever he says, I'm going to do. Just continue to work my tail off. Whatever I got to do for him and this offense to get that breakthrough point and really see this offense go to a whole new level and really take off from there."
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
