(670 The Score) What was shared behind the closed doors of the Bears' players-only meeting Wednesday morning?
The Bears declined to share the discussion inside the team meeting room at Halas Hall, but it could define where this season goes. From coach Matt Nagy to many players, the Bears have been quick to remind they were 3-3 in 2018 before finishing the regular season at 12-4.
But the Bears were also 3-3 in 2014, when frustration boiled over and a team with Super Bowl aspirations spiraled to 6-10. Could that similar fate repeat itself five years later?
After the 2014 season came to an end, the Bears cleaned house and brought in Ryan Pace as general manager. Part of Pace's organizational overhaul included placing a priority on culture. That was prevalent as Chicago ascended from worst to first in the NFC North in 2018.
Considering the kind of character that's often referenced by Nagy, it seems highly unlikely that the 2014 fiasco could repeat itself -- Brandon Marshall yelling at Robbie Gould, Lamarr Houston tearing his ACL celebrating a sack in a blowout loss, offensive coordinator Aaron Kromer tearfully apologizing to Jay Cutler, coach Marc Trestman later benching Cutler in an attempt to save his job, etc.
There was no yelling in the Bears' losing locker room after a disappointing loss to the Saints last Sunday, but there also wasn't much accountability to be found either. It's why the players-only meeting Wednesday may prove to be an important step for this team. As Nagy and his coaching staff work to spark a struggling offense and get their defense back to top form, they have a team that maintains it's still united.
Adversity can challenge a team's culture. The words of the optimistic Nagy can fall flat when promises are left empty. A group of Bears who meshed a year ago can break apart when the wins aren't earned.
The Bears host the Chargers (2-5) in the kind of game they can't afford to lose if they want to make a playoff push. Chicago has already dropped two games at Soldier Field. The tests only become greater from here.
Did the Bears come together in that players-only meeting? We'll know more at Soldier Field on Sunday.
Open field
Nagy is right in saying he's not an idiot, but why the Bears have failed to establish a running game remains perplexing.
The Bears rushed a franchise-low seven times against the Saints. That number was only partially the product of game flow. The Bears rushed just five times in a first half in which they led 10-9 at one point before trailing 12-10 at halftime.
After rookie running back David Montgomery fumbled the Bears' first offensive snap of the second half -- with Chicago trailing 19-10 early in the third quarter -- Nagy called only one more rushing play. It was an end-around to receiver Cordarrelle Patterson. Nagy entirely abandoned the running game after Montgomery's miscue.
The approach Nagy has taken with the media -- the conduit to speaking to the fans -- is refreshing. It's a dialogue that's comfortable, open and honest. He gets it, at least in words.
"I know we need to run the ball more," Nagy said Monday. "I'm not an idiot."
But will Nagy's actions match his candor? That hasn't always been the case when it comes to his play-calling.
Nagy coordinated a Chiefs offense in 2017 that was led by the NFL's leading rusher in Kareem Hunt. But in Kansas City's 22-21 wild-card round loss to Tennessee, Hunt rushed only five times for 17 yards in the second half as the Chiefs squandered a 21-3 halftime lead. Upon his arrival as the Bears head coach days later, Nagy proclaimed he would learn from those mistakes. It doesn't seem like he ever has.
In 2018, then-Bears running back Jordan Howard produced career-lows with 250 carries, 935 yards and a 3.7 yards-per-carry average. The Bears then traded Howard to the Eagles in March and moved up to select David Montgomery in the third round of the NFL Draft in April, believing he was a better fit for Nagy's schemes.
Montgomery has rushed only 71 times for 231 yards, averaging 3.3 yards per carry as the Bears' leading back. The team is averaging 3.4 yards per carry, which ranks 28th in the NFL. The mobility of quarterback Mitchell Trubisky hasn't been factored into the offense. Dynamic running back Tarik Cohen has played only a minimal role. Reserve running back Mike Davis didn't see a single snap on offense Sunday.
Nagy's problem is the way he quits on the rushing game when it's not going well, instead turning to Trubisky and the equally inconsistent passing game.
To run the ball consistently and effectively, commitment is needed from Nagy.
4-down territory
1.) On call
With the emotions of a disappointing loss last still running through his system Sunday, Nagy didn't entirely dismiss the notion he could relinquish play-calling duties for the Bears offense.
The possibility was raised after a game in which the Bears posted 85 yards of offense through three quarters.
"I'm not going to get into all of that," Nagy said of the play-calling inquiry. "If I did, no one (in the public) would know."
After reviewing that loss and moving forward, Nagy confirmed Monday afternoon that he would continue on as the Bears' play-caller. But could that change if the offense continues to struggle?
Late in the 2017 season, Chiefs coach Andy Reid handed over the play-calling responsibilities to Nagy. Kansas City started the season 5-0 before falling to 6-5, after which Reid called upon Nagy to lead the offense.
Nagy considers Reid his greatest coaching mentor. In an industry filled with egos, it was something Nagy might call a "we move" instead of a "me move."
The Bears believe their offense is set to get back on track. If it doesn't, Nagy needs to consider letting offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich take over as the team's play-caller.
2.) 'Edge' of glory?
Trubisky took the podium at Halas Hall on Wednesday with a different edge to him. He was ready to answer for his personal miscues and the state of a sputtering Bears offense.
While Trubisky attempts to block the noise outside of Halas Hall -- whether it's good or bad -- he's also keenly aware that his play needs to improve. He's sick of talking about it.
"It's not just Mitch, everybody that has a little edge to them right now because they care," Nagy said Thursday. "So, I kind of like hearing that that (Trubisky) was like that. I'm OK with that. There comes a point and time when you care and you have an edge and you get a little angry -- that's kind of good.
"A lot of us are good people that most times have smiles on our faces and we're having fun and that's what we're known to do. But then you also know too that this is where we are at. And if people want to have certain thoughts or opinions or suggestions, that's OK, understand that. But let's handle what we can handle."
3.) Where's Roquan?
The Bears stood by linebacker Roquan Smith as he managed a personal matter that kept him from playing in their win against the Vikings on Sept. 29 win. From Nagy to Smith's teammates, they protected him.
That private matter may still be hindering Smith, who hasn't been himself on the field.
"He can definitely play better," Nagy said. "And he knows that. That's where we're at right now. And he's going to. I think he will."
Smith has declined to speak with the media on multiple occasions -- including Thursday afternoon -- since a brief and dismissive meeting with reporters more than three weeks ago.
The Bears aren't as comfortable with Smith's play as they were when he was a rookie in 2018. He played only 53 of the Bears' 76 defensive snaps last Sunday. Fellow inside linebacker Danny Trevathan was on the field for every snap on defense.
4.) Field trip
Late Wednesday afternoon, a black SUV was waiting outside Halas Hall. The doors opened for Bears special teams coordinator Chris Tabor, kicker Eddy Pineiro, punter/holder Pat O'Donnell and long snapper Patrick Scales.
The Bears are continuing having their kicking battery practice inside Soldier Field, driving through the teeth of rush hour traffic on the Edens and Kennedy Expressways to reach the team's home stadium.
Quote to note
"He made throws. He had a quick release. He reminded me sometimes of Aaron Rodgers. The way he moved around. If he ever got in a bind, he could create. I just thought he had the total package."
-- Chargers coach Anthony Lynn on his pre-draft scouting report of Trubisky
Bears injury report
DB Sherrick McManis (concussion) -- It was positive to see McManis in good spirits this week after a scary moment Sunday, when he struggled to stay steady after taking a big hit. McManis cleared the concussion protocol and practiced in full Friday. He is available for the Bears this Sunday.
Prediction (3-3): Bears 17, Chargers 14
The Bears have been favored in every game this season, and I've picked them to win each one. Will the team we expected to see in 2019 finally show up?
I'm picking the Bears to win a close one against the Chargers, but a loss sure would be revealing.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
