Lucas Patrick Just Sent A Message Ahead Of Bears-Chargers Game

It's okay to criticize Lucas Patrick for his play on the field. Nobody would confuse the guy for being a top-10 center in the league. However, he's a decent enough player. More importantly, he is establishing himself as the fiery leader in the middle their offensive line needs. That was evident in the win over Las Vegas. His pre-game speech was great stuff, emphasizing the need for physicality and nastiness. He wanted to take the Raiders' will. That is exactly what the Bears did, beating them up on the ground for 60 minutes.

That mentality hasn't changed going into Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers. Nobody is surprised the Bears are heavy underdogs. It is a road game against a team with a strong pass rusher and a great quarterback. Justin Herbert is hard to defend at the best of times. Chicago still has a rookie at quarterback and a defense that struggles to pressure the quarterback. It will take another effort like the one against Las Vegas to pull off an upset. Patrick seems to have set the tone even before boarding the plane for Los Angeles.

He was spotted wearing an "Angry Runs" t-shirt by the Bears social media team. For those who don't know, Angry Runs is a weekly segment on the NFL Network show Good Morning Football, crowning the ball carrier who ran hardest. That honor went to D'Onta Foreman against the Raiders. Patrick has embraced that mentality and wants everybody else to do the same.

Lucas Patrick deserves props for his continued intensity.

It would be easy for guys to be more reserved at 2-5 after seven games. Not Patrick. He is bringing the same energy every week, and it appears he's sensing a significant shift in the Bears' identity. They might not be flashy in several areas. Their offense is still a work in progress. However, one thing is undeniable at this point. They will beat you up. That game against Las Vegas wasn't the first time this season they've physically dominated an opponent in the trenches. It happened to Washington and Denver as well.

No doubt the aim is to do it against Los Angeles as well. That could prove difficult. The Chargers have some excellent players up front, led by Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa. However, they may have a weakness on the interior with defensive tackles Nick Williams and Austin Johnson. That is where Lucas Patrick, Cody Whitehair, and Teven Jenkins might be able to shine. It would be quite a feather in their cap, considering L.A. is 10th in the league against the run. Doing it on a national stage would make it even sweeter.