Shane Waldron Will Be Next Offensive Coordinator For Bears
This ends the Chicago Bears’ protracted hunt for a new offensive coordinator.
The Bears want to sign former Seattle offensive coordinator Shane Waldron following nearly two weeks of interviews, according to a source. Monday morning, Tom Pelissero of NFL Media broke the story first.
For the previous three seasons, Shane Waldron served as the offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks. Along with Russell Wilson, the 44-year-old also worked with Geno Smith. His contribution to Smith’s 2022 Comeback Player of the Year victory was important.
Waldron previously worked with McVay for four seasons in the Rams’ coaching staff, serving as tight ends coach, quarterbacks coach, and coordinator of the passing game.
Waldron’s offense finished seventh in EPA per run, ninth in EPA per drop back, 13th in success rate, and 12th in EPA per play during his three seasons in Seattle. In terms of yards per play, explosive run percentage, and explosive pass play rate, the Seahawks’ offense came in fifth, fifth, and ninth, respectively.
The NFL‘s second-best first down conversion rate has been demonstrated by Waldron’s teams, although they have struggled in the red zone (51.5 percent touchdown rate) and on third down (38.5 percent conversation rate).
The Bears, led by head coach Matt Eberflus and general manager Ryan Poles, fired offensive coordinator Luke Getsy and announced they would be searching for a “great teacher,” “adaptable,” “innovative,” and capable of “creating explosives” candidate.
Shane Waldron appears to meet every one of the requirements. He is a member of the preferred Shanahan tree, an offense that expands the field horizontally through the run game and creates window space for the throwing game. Yards after reception are prioritized in the quarterback-friendly approach by getting the ball to players in space.
Getsy was chosen by Eberflus because he thought the Green Bay Packers offense, which was also a branch of the Shanahan tree, was the hardest to prepare against. Getsy never followed through on his pledge to plan a comparable crime.
Ever since, Waldron was seen to be a serious contender for the position. Although Waldron was the first applicant to be interviewed, the Bears also spoke with eight other people before selecting him.
The Bears now focus exclusively on their impending quarterback decision with Waldron joining the team. The Bears have a special opportunity because they possess the No. 1 pick through the Carolina Panthers, but Poles stated he thinks Justin Fields can lead the team.
The top pick in the 2024 NFL Draft is Caleb Williams, the quarterback from USC. Most evaluators believe Williams is a “generational” talent who will be difficult to pass up.
Rich Scangarello is working with Williams on his pre-draft preparation. Through QB Collective, a pro-style invitational camp for outstanding high school prospects, Williams got to know Scangarello. Waldron has collaborated with QB collective, as have the majority of the well-known figures from the Shanahan tree.
The Bears stated that during the offensive coordinator interview process, candidates will be asked how they would orchestrate offenses with varying skill levels surrounding quarterbacks.
Waldron, who reportedly aced the exam, will now be crucial in determining how well Poles and Eberflus can plan the Bears quarterback route moving forward.
