CHICAGO (670 The Score) -- Since arriving in the NFL in 2009, Chase Daniel has prepared for every game like he did for Sunday.
Daniel spends each week giving his defense looks on the scout team and working with the starting quarterback on the game plan. He wakes up on game day and conducts some late studying on that day's opponent. He arrives at the stadium ready for his number to be called, even if playing time is sparse.
"Life of a backup quarterback," Daniel said Sunday, like many times before. "You never really know."
The Bears called upon the 32-year-old Daniel less than three minutes into the first quarter Sunday, and he answered. Stepping in after starter Mitchell Trubisky injured his left shoulder while scrambling on the game's sixth play, Daniel helped guide his team to a 16-6 victory over the Vikings at Soldier Field.
Daniel picked up for Trubisky and capped a 14-play, 75-yard scoring drive with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Tarik Cohen. His preparation and knowledge of coach Matt Nagy's offense allowed the Bears to move forward without adjustments to their game plan.
"He was ready," Nagy said. "He prepares himself every single day, and it's never different. It's always the same.
"We're very, very lucky to have Chase as our backup quarterback."
Daniel has earned more than $34 million over the course of his career but played in only 63 games, including just four starts. While he lacks in game reps, he certainly doesn't in league experience. It's why the Bears prioritized bringing him in as their backup when Nagy was hired in 2018. The Bears trust that Daniel can pick up the offense -- and the team as a whole -- when needed in a pinch.
When Trubisky's shoulder was slammed to the Soldier Field turf, all Daniel needed was to warm up his arm with some sideline throws. There was no letdown once he stepped in. Nagy stood by the game plan that he designed for Trubisky. Daniel was asked to operate the offense with efficiency, keep the clock ticking and trust the dominant Bears defense to lead the way.
He did just that. The Bears possessed the football for 35:27 of the 60 minutes, averaging 4.0 yards per play on offense. Daniel had few mistakes in going 22-of-30 for 195 yards and one touchdown pass. He didn't turn the ball over. The transition from Trubisky to Daniel, starter to backup, was seamless.
"I've been in the league a long time," Daniel said. "I don't want to show my age too much, but out there when you get your opportunities, you never really know when they're going to come as a backup quarterback. My mindset is always just be ready, be ready."
As Daniel provided a steady performance, the defense did the rest.
Without three starters in defensive lineman Akiem Hicks (knee), linebacker Roquan Smith (personal) and defensive lineman Bilal Nichols (hand fracture), the Bears held Vikings running back Dalvin Cook, the NFL's leading rusher, to only 35 yards on 14 carries. They sacked quarterback Kirk Cousins six times and recovered two of their three forced fumbles.
It was the kind of elite performance this defense has set as the expectation. The Bears have allowed just 11.3 points per game.
The Bears drew motivation from hearing Vikings coach Mike Zimmer question whether Soldier Field was a tough place to play, according to linebacker Danny Trevathan. The Bears defense was also well aware that Cook came in averaging 6.6 yards per carry.
"We're the No. 1 rush defense for a reason," Trevathan said. "They came to the house. We take pride in that. All week, that's all we've been hearing, they're going to try to come in and run the ball and get 100, 200 yards. They ended up with 49.
"They found out today."
While those like Trevathan were proud in holding their standard high, Nagy pointed to how his team thrived with the next man up. Nick Kwiatkoski stepped in alongside Trevathan at inside linebacker and led the team with nine tackles, adding two tackles for a loss, a sack and a forced fumble. Reserve defensive lineman Nick Williams delivered two sacks while playing a more prominent role in place of Hicks. He now has sacks in three straight games.
With Kyle Long out, the Bears turned to Ted Larsen as their starting right guard -- until Larsen left with a hamstring injury, forcing reserve tackle Rashaad Coward into an unfamiliar position. They all held together in victory.
Like Daniel his whole career, the Bears proved to be ready when their challenge was presented.
"That's what I told everyone in (the locker room)," Daniel said. "Just the resiliency of this team. You really never know when your opportunity is going to come at any position, but we had so many guys step up on such short notice."
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
