Four games into Pagano's tenure as Chicago DC, the Bears are allowing 11.3 points and 60.5 rushing yards per game. With the ground game kept in check, Chicago has been able to get after the passer (17 sacks) and attack the football (eight takeaways). It goes without saying that this is a small sample size, as we're only a quarter of the way through the season. But thus far, Chicago's defense is even better than its dominant 2018 edition, which yielded 16.3 points and 64.5 rushing yards per game over the first quarter of last season. And Pagano has done this without radically overhauling the scheme that served as the foundation for the unit's greatness. The veteran coach kept the basic terminology of the defensive playbook the same, while also soliciting input from the Bears' defensive leaders throughout the process. Considering the D returned nine starters from last year's group, it was a sensible decision to maintain continuity while sprinkling in a few new wrinkles to elevate the unit. Pagano's amenability has been appreciated by his charges since he first arrived in Chicago.