Complacency is defined as "a feeling of smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one's achievements." To the first-place Bears, it's a four-letter word that's as unwelcome at Halas Hall as an injury bug or a diehard Packers fan.
In other words, it's great to be 3-1, especially after finishing in last place each of the last four seasons. But the Bears are vowing to make sure that an early taste of success only makes them hungrier moving forward.
"I just know our work's not done," said inside linebacker Danny Trevathan. "It's good when you win. You want that feeling, but you want it to keep going.
"We were talking early, some of the older guys, about not getting complacent. It's been a long time since it's been like this around here and we want it to stay this way. The thing is to bring the young guys with the older guys and the older guys to keep showing them how to practice and keep working."
Coach Matt Nagy is pleased that a three-game winning streak and 48-10 drubbing of the Buccaneers has generated some confidence in the building. But he knows that the Bears have yet to accomplish anything four games into the season.
"Collectively, there's a little bounce to the guys and I think that goes back to being able to have that confidence," Nagy said. "When you have a good game, it naturally gives you confidence. What you have to make sure you prevent is making sure that you [don't] get complacent with that and think it's just going to happen every week because it's not."
Make it happen: The Bears aren't taking anything for granted as they prepare for Sunday's game in Miami, not even with a defense that has registered 18 sacks in four games facing an injury-depleted Dolphins offensive line.
Center Daniel Kilgore (triceps) and left guard Josh Sitton (shoulder) have been placed on injured reserve, while left tackle Laremy Tunsil exited last Sunday's game in Cincinnati with a concussion and was limited in practice Wednesday.
Asked whether the Bears defense may be overconfident heading into the game, outside linebacker Khalil Mack said: "That's not the thought process at all. Regardless of who's in, you're going to have to make it happen on both ends. We're talking about rushing and coverage working together. It's just another challenge we're looking forward to."
Back at it: There was good news on the injury front for the Bears Wednesday as rookie receiver Anthony Miller practiced without restrictions. The second-round draft pick sat out the Buccaneers game with a dislocated shoulder he sustained a week earlier in a win over the Cardinals in Arizona.
Cornerback Prince Amukamara, who also missed the Tampa Bay contest with a hamstring injury he suffered against the Cardinals, returned to practice on a limited basis Wednesday. Fellow cornerback Marcus Cooper Sr. (hamstring) remained sidelined, while guard Eric Kush (neck) was limited.
Good news: The Bears are relieved that veteran defensive tackle Akiem Hicks was not suspended by the NFL after he was ejected from the Buccaneers game for pushing an official.
"To get the news that he's going to be playing is great news for us," Nagy said. "But I think for all of us we use it as a learning lesson, and for Akiem to understand that, too. He was very apologetic. He knew he made a mistake, and that's not who he is. His track record shows that.
"I think probably that helped him a little bit in regards to that happening. When bad things happen—I'm just using this situation—how do you spin it into learning from it? Do you turn it into a positive? I think that's what we want to try to do, and that's what we will do."
