Mitch Trubisky’s renewed focus: ‘Getting it into our playmakers’ hands’

Bears quarterback Mitch Trubisky is throwing for a lot of yards because he’s not throwing for a lot of yards.

Trubisky averaged only 4.2 air yards — the distance between the line of scrimmage and the intended receiver — on his passes Sunday against the Texans, the second-lowest total in the league. His 2.9 air yards per completion was the fourth-lowest, according to NFL Next Gen Stats.

Against the Lions the week before, Trubisky’s 4.5 air yards per completion and 6.4 air yards per pass ranked as the eighth-lowest in the league.

But Trubisky ranks fourth in the NFL with a 117.4 passer rating and 11th with 534 passing yards in the last two weeks, and only three teams have scored more points than the Bears’ 66.

The reason, besides a small sample size and facing two terrible defenses, is that Trubisky is delivering the ball on time and allowing his receivers to run. Against the Texans, 190 of Trubisky’s 267 passing yards came after the catch.

In the last two weeks, Allen Robinson is seventh in the NFL among receivers in receiving yards. David Montgomery is fifth among running backs and Cole Kmet 10th among tight ends.

‘‘Any time, for me, when I find a completion and I get the ball into a playmaker’s hands, I think good things are going to happen,’’ Trubisky said.

Is that by design — the Bears have reworked their offense to use Trubisky’s athleticism better — or because of a shift in Trubisky’s mentality?

‘‘Probably both,’’ coach Matt Nagy said.

By focusing on play-action, motion and flank attacks, the Bears’ new scheme doesn’t require Trubisky to make difficult throws. That’s not to say Trubisky hasn’t made good decisions. The unforgivable fumble that turned a victory against the Lions into a loss is the only blemish he has had in the last two games.

‘‘I think guys are starting to understand how it all fits together,’’ said offensive coordinator Bill Lazor, who has called plays for the last four games. ‘‘I just think it’s all working together. And as far as Mitch and how he’s playing, that is NFL quarterbacking.’’

While that doesn’t warrant a parade, it’s certainly progress — for Trubisky and the Bears’ offense. The question, entering a must-win game Sunday against the Vikings, is whether either is sustainable.

This week, quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo detailed an example of what Trubisky did right Sunday.

In the first quarter, he faked a handoff and looked deep to his first option — receiver Darnell Mooney — on a deep cross. Mooney was covered by a cornerback who fell off receiver Javon Wims’ post route. A linebacker turned his back to Trubisky and sprinted down the field, playing zone defense underneath Mooney.

That left tight end Jimmy Graham wide-open in the left flat. Trubisky dropped the pass off, and Graham rumbled for 12 yards.

‘‘I think a lot of it is: ‘Are you throwing the ball on time? Is the ball coming out of your hand on time?’ ’’ DeFilippo said.

Trubisky himself gave an example of what he did wrong. In his first game back, he threw deep into double coverage. Packers safety Darnell Savage caught the ball in the end zone in stride.

‘‘If they’ve got two guys back there and we’ve got a one-on-one [elsewhere], it’d be a lot smarter to throw it to the one-on-one,’’ Trubisky said, knowing he was stating the obvious.

At the time, Trubisky said the Bears wanted to be aggressive. It’s hard to imagine them wanting him to try it again.

‘‘It’s all about playing smarter football, making good decisions with the football and getting it into our playmakers’ hands,’’ Trubisky said. ‘‘I think that’s how you take what the defense gives you. And you’ve got to either find the zones or find the one-on-one matchups. And I think that gives you your best chance on offense.’’