Trestman continues to battle through 'adversity'

The day after his team's fourth straight loss, embattled coach Marc Trestman was asked if he's been told that he'll return for the third year of his four-year contract.

But he really didn't answer the question.

"I've been supported by this organization since Day One," Trestman said. "That hasn't changed."

Trestman admitted after Sunday's fourth straight defeat that the 5-10 season has been his toughest as a coach, and he elaborated a day later.

"I've tried to keep things in the present as much as I can," Trestman said. "We've been through a lot over the last six months. Every day's a challenge handling the adversity that we've had and the minimal success we've had.

"It's something you've got to absorb and embrace along the way and try to be as consistent as you can getting (the team) ready each and every week. It's tough to prepare for something like this because not many of us have gone through anything like this, but I credit our coaches and our players as much as anything for the way they've handled it in a very consistent fashion."

After what appeared to be significant personnel upgrades in the off-season following 2013's 8-8 finish in Trestman's first year, expectations were high for a Bears return to the playoffs for the first time since 2010.

But, after a 3-3 start, the Bears have dropped seven of nine. The weekly routine of preparing and game-planning, Trestman said, has been a welcome distraction.

"When you're in here and you're working, you don't think about all the things that are going on outside the building," he said. "You're just working and you love football, you're practicing the game, you're coaching guys, you're teaching guys, they're giving you something back, (and) it's a two-way street."

One man's "stumble":

The NFL didn't waste any time suspending Lions center Dominic Raiola one game for stomping on Bears defensive tackle Ego Ferguson's ankle Sunday.

Raiola can also expect a hefty fine after being docked $10,000 for a hit against the Patriots last month. After the game, Raiola claimed he stepped on Ferguson inadvertently while "stumbling," but the film shows something completely different.

Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall said as much during his radio show on WMVP AM-1000.

"This guy is a dirty player, and he's a worse human being," Marshall said, while also calling for a longer suspension.

"It's ridiculous," Marshall said. "He shouldn't be allowed in the NFL. He should be banned from the NFL." Marshall, who was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder in 2011, also mentioned how he was taunted about it before a game by Raiola. "I'm just warming up," Marshall said. "I'm just standing there, and he looks at me and he's like: 'Go take your medicine. Go do this, you freakin' weirdo. You freakin' crazy guy, go take your medicine.' Before the game."

Long road back:

The Achilles injury defensive end Willie Young suffered in the second half will require surgery and at least several months of rehab.

Young leads the Bears with 10 sacks, but he will be missed for more than his on-field production in what has been a breakout season for the 29-year-old.

"That's a tough one," coach Marc Trestman said. "He has kind of been an inspirational leader. He's a charismatic guy. He keeps people up. He's fun to be around. He's a guy who is always up and around the building and has played well and gotten better throughout the season."