Mitch Trubisky on Bears’ rushing offense: ‘It’s nice to have an identity’
The Chicago Bears (2-0) are a different team in 2020 than they were in 2019. It’s obvious to anyone who watched last year’s club fall woefully short of its preseason Super Bowl expectations. The 2020 Bears are one of just 11 remaining undefeated teams and have the early look of an NFC North contender.
It’s fair to say Chicago hasn’t exactly restored confidence in their ability to make a run for the Lombardi Trophy. But one thing we do know is that this year’s Bears offense can run the football. At least, so far.
David Montgomery, Tarik Cohen, and the cast of Bears ball-carriers is getting the job done. And no player is benefitting more from the improved rushing attack than Mitch Trubisky, who’s averaging 1.6 more yards per attempt on play action in 2020 than he did in 2019.
“I think it just creates rhythm for our offense and it’s nice to have an identity,” quarterback Mitch Trubisky said of Chicago’s running game this week. “We know what we can lean on, and that’s our run game and our O-line up front creating holes and establishing the line of scrimmage.”
Through two games this season, Montgomery has 29 carries for 146 yards — a healthy five yards per carry — and has looked like a markedly improved player.
Sure, he deserves a lot of the credit, but the offensive line has been doing its part too. New offensive line coach Juan Castillo installed a revamped running scheme during the offseason and it’s paying dividends early in the schedule.
Chicago’s run the ball 60 times for 284 yards as a team, is averaging 4.7 yards per carry, and is forcing opposing defenses to respect their ground attack.
“It’s nice to lean on that and it’s something we feel comfortable with,” Trubisky said. “So we’re just going to keep getting better and keep going with it.”
