LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) -- The vision that coach Matt Nagy had for his Bears offense had faded through the first month of the regular season. The hope of consistently producing explosive plays and big production were dashed early on.
Even as the eternal optimist, Nagy had to accept his offense for what it was after his team's 24-21 loss to the Raiders on Oct. 6 -- statistically one of the NFL's worst. The Bears' 17.4 points per game currently rank 27th in the NFL. Their 4.5 yards per offensive play ranks 30th, ahead of only the Dolphins and Jets.
It was with those realities that Nagy entered the Bears' bye week and set his focus on identifying the root of the offensive inconsistencies and fixing it. He gathered his coaching staff for several days of detailed self-scouting with the belief the offense can be productive, as once imagined, but he knows the execution must come soon.
"We'll have to see," said Nagy, asked of potential results from self-scouting. "That's the only thing I can say."
Having practiced in full Wednesday and Thursday, quarterback Mitchell Trubisky is expected to return from a non-throwing shoulder injury Sunday, when the Bears host the Saints at Soldier Field. But if Nagy was as realistic as he needed to be, he understands the offense has issues that go beyond Trubisky, who has mustered only 5.5 yards per passing attempt, which ranks 32nd among 33 qualified quarterbacks. League leader Patrick Mahomes is averaging 9.1 yards per attempt.
The Bears are averaging only 3.4 yards per rush, which ranks 29th in the NFL. Rookie running back David Montgomery is managing just 3.3 yards per carry. Former Pro Bowl running back Jordan Howard, traded by the Bears to the Eagles last offseason, is averaging 4.5 yards per carry.
Perhaps a healthy option at right guard will help after the Bears shut down three-time Pro Bowl offensive lineman Kyle Long with a hip injury. But the offensive line's troubles extend beyond one man.
"The biggest thing that stuck out to me was we were kind of taking turns making a mistake that really hurt the production of the play," offensive line coach Harry Hiestand said of his self-scouting. "That's what we really focused on, is dialing in and zeroing in on the details of getting five guys, in our case, to be doing exactly what we need to be done with detail to try to improve it. That's what stuck out.
"The lack of consistency has really hurt us. That's something we're zeroed in on and going to make sure we eliminate those mistakes that shut us down. Quit taking turns. Let's be five-for-five in giving the play a chance, keep working our technique, working our execution and we'll work out way through this."
Top receiver Allen Robinson is having a standout season with 31 receptions and 377 yards -- 37.2 percent of the Bears' receiving yardage this season. But come Sunday, Robinson will face a tough matchup in Saints star cornerback Marshon Lattimore, who has held the Cowboys' Amari Cooper, the Bucs' Mike Evans and the Jaguars' DJ Chark to a combined eight catches for 91 yards and no scores in New Orleans' last three games.
The Saints utilize Lattimore on their opponent's top receiver for the entire game. That means Trubisky will often have to look outside of Robinson as his first read, knowing it will be a challenge to get him the football.
Tight end Trey Burton has only 11 receptions and is still working back to top form from a groin injury. Second-year receiver Anthony Miller has eight catches and is re-establishing himself after an August ankle sprain lingered into the regular season. The game-breaking Tarik Cohen hasn't been much of a factor in the offense, averaging a career-low 4.5 yards on 37 touches.
Nagy has continuously pointed to the need to be more effective on first down, but the problem is his Bears offense is missing its identity.
"When you just look across the league at different situations, everything is not always perfect," Robinson said. "We've had some ups, we've had some downs. We're just trying to make sure that we find that consistency."
Said Trubisky: "I know we've got the right guys to do it. It's just a matter of sticking to the process."
Trubisky has experienced an extended self-scouting period since suffering the left shoulder injury six plays into the Bears' win against the Vikings on Sept. 29. He watched 11-year veteran Chase Daniel take charge of the offense, getting a glimpse at Daniel's processing of a defense and ease in identifying targets.
Once Nagy is given word Trubisky is cleared for Sunday, he doesn't plan to hold anything back. But what will look different?
Nagy still has bold visions for the Bears and their offense. Making those a reality hasn't come easy.
Injury report
For a second straight day, the Bears officially listed Trubisky (left shoulder) as a full participant in practice. He remains in line to start Sunday's game. Defensive lineman Bilal Nichols (hand), receiver Taylor Gabriel (concussion) and linebacker Joel Iyiegbuniwe (hamstring) were also full participants Thursday. Meanwhile, guard Ted Larsen (knee) was limited for a second straight day. The Bears have yet to name a replacement for Long at right guard. Larsen's health could impact that decision.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
