How the Bears Became Fun Again, One Knock at a Time

Published Jan. 2, 2019 on Sports Illustrated

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Vic Fangio gestures to the screen showing a clip of the Rams offense. It’s 9 a.m. and he’s about to introduce the first concept of Friday’s defensive install when—

Knock. Knock.

At that sound, the defensive players rustle in their seats and chatter with playful excitement, like a classroom of squirmy schoolkids. They recognize those two loud knocks, and they know exactly who is at the door.

The visitor outside pauses for a beat, then cracks the door and sticks his head inside. Now the players are really riled up. They look around the room, trying to predict who might get called on this time.

“Sorry Coach,” Matt Nagy nods at Fangio. “But I’m going to need 9-0, 9-5, 9-6, 9-8.”

The four defensive linemen—Jonathan Bullard (uniform No. 90), Roy Robertson-Harris (95), Akiem Hicks (96) and Bilal Nichols(98)—practically jump out of their chairs. Fangio sighs and shakes his head. Here we go again.