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LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Shane Waldron made a point to praise the offensive team captains for how they’ve guided their unit through the practice week preparing for Sunday’s home game against the Los Angeles Rams.

This period has turned into a circle-the-wagons moment, with players and coaches trying to prevent a downward offensive trajectory from turning into a full-on nosedive.  

A standout collection of talent has underwhelmed to this point, with just three offensive touchdowns in as many games. The run game can’t get going and, overall, the unit seems disjointed while operating Waldron’s new system. That has led to lackluster production for a unit that ranks at or near the bottom of most statistical offensive categories.

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The Bears offensive coordinator has taken heat for these issues and for consecutive losses where the defense has excelled but offense has struggled to score and avoid catastrophic mistakes. Sometimes it’s execution. Other times, play calling has come into question.

That has put the pressure on to get the offense fixed, and fast. Caleb Williams, Marcedes Lewis, Cole Kmet and DJ Moore make up Waldron’s leadership group as team captains, and entered this week focused on righting the ship over finger pointing.

Waldron said they were “solutions oriented,” and praised them for it.

“You don’t know what you’re going to expect from groups of players, and to walk into a group of players that were in that same mindset, guys who were connected, that were ready to get back to work and get on to this next game, I thought that was the thing that I was proud of with those guys, that’s why I wanted to mention those guys right away,” Waldron said in his Thursday press conference. “I think so much of that is their inward confidence that spreads throughout the offense and something that we’re looking to make sure is contagious with our full group.”

Offensive captains also offered some feedback to their play caller. Communication was stressed, to make sure everyone is on the same page as the plan is being installed and during the flow of a game. While this offense will strive for balance, Williams mentioned being fine throwing it a ton if that’s working and the run game is not and it’s the best way to win a given game. He also has an opportunity to provide some feedback about the operation as a whole.

“We have talked about it throughout the weeks,” Williams said. “But just being a little more in-depth is what we have kind of come to after this past game – being a little bit more in-depth I would say the adjustment we have made after this last game.”

Another note from players to Waldron: We aren’t afraid of hard coaching.

“Just continue to be vocal about the things that he sees and don’t feel like he can’t point guys out, from the oldest guy in the room – being me – to the youngest guy,” Lewis said. “Don’t feel like you can’t coach us. I want to be coached. I want to be great. This is not, you know, this is not for play. This is our job. We understand that. It’s a stressful, production-based business and we’ve all got to be doing the same things or everybody gets fired. Ego is supposed to be left at the door. That’s what it’s about. He’s very receptive to that.

“I think, obviously, coming in, we’ve got a bunch of dudes. Not just guys on the team or on this offense. We have dudes, dudes who have done it at a high level. Sometimes as the coach coming in, you might be walking on eggshells. I just kind of put that to bed. Nobody’s sensitive in here. We want to win games just as bad as you do. It’s a collaborative effort. This is not Pop Warner. We work together, side by side to get things done. That’s really what my message was.”

Lewis also said that Waldon’s level of accountability during this difficult time has been important. Waldon has singled out regrettable calls in team meetings, pointing out areas where the coaching must be better. He did so publicly and privately regarding the option play on 4^th-and-1 near the goal line.

Those moments don’t go unnoticed.

“He stands up there and lists the plays that he could have called better, put its up on the board,” Lewis said. “We all see it. And I think that’s the best way to do it. I mean, we’re not kids, right? We respect that. Because everything is evaluated, especially from a player’s standpoint. We know we’re getting evaluated with whatever we’re doing out there. So, when a coach throws himself in that pot of gumbo, then we’re all vested, we all have some skin in the game. He’s been doing that and (we) highly appreciate it.”