What Bears defense found while picking up the pieces from Detroit

"I mean, we've been working without him for most of training camp," Allen said.

Actually, they didn't have him practicing until later the week of the opener, and then he didn't play until Week 2. It would look like they'll get 1 1/2 quarters of football from their best defensive player for this season.

"We didn't have him in the first game," Allen said. "You know, obviously when you lose a player of that caliber it's a big hinderance to your football team.

"So you've got to readjust how you operate, the calls you make, and each and every week is going to be different."

This will mean Nahshon Wright starting like he did in the opener. This week it will mean another Nick McCloud start in the slot and Noah Sewell as Edwards' replacement.

"Really, 90% of the world doesn’t give a … care about your problems," Allen said. "The other 10% are glad you got ‘em. We just come in every night, we go to work, try to put a good plan together, try to utilize our guys the best we can, put them in good positions to make plays. I think hopefully we’ll go out and do that this weekend.”

No one will feel sorry for them if CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens are running free in the secondary like Lions receivers did last week.

Safety Kevin Byard believes the problems were easier to fix than waiting for next year's draft or free agency. He called it all simple issues.

"It was just miscommunication issues," Byard said. "Guys were running free down the field. Or, just being able to finish on the ball.

"That's not a skill thing, as far a 'hey we're not talented enough.' It's more about just going out there and making those plays and better communication."

Jaquan Brisker on social media supported the idea he should be turned loose blitzing. He actually led the Bears in sacks in 2022, but they also need someone to cover passes.

There are veterans pointing out two games doesn't mean a season even if 0-2 is most often a death knell for playoff chances.

"When you have a game like we did on Sunday it feels like the sky is falling and that's just to be real," Byard said. "I just, too, always remind the guys lets not get too high or too low.

"We faced two really good teams to start this year and sometimes these things happen. I was in Tennessee in 2022. We started out 0-2 and we ended up battling back to get to 7-3. It's not about how you start, it's about how you finish and being able to find a stride with this team."

There's a big stride to find.