The Chicago Bears made Shane Waldron their new offensive coordinator this week. It wasn’t a huge surprise. He comes from a similar offensive system to what the Bears had with Luke Getsy, so there could be some continuity. More importantly, he comes in with playcalling experience after three productive years in Seattle. People really want to know what this means for Chicago’s quarterback dilemma. The fanbase remains divided. Some want to keep Justin Fields. Others want to select somebody with the #1 overall pick, be it Caleb Williams or Drake Maye. It’s here where former quarterback Dan Orlovsky made an interesting point.
He appeared on the Rich Eisen Show to talk about the Bears’ decision to hire Waldron and what they’ll do at quarterback. Orlovsky believes they’re drafting a quarterback for two reasons. First is the statements from GM Ryan Poles, where he supported Fields but never gave a clear answer on his status. As for Waldron, Orlovsky made a key point about the assistant coach. He’s already seen how to develop a young quarterback before. He worked with Sean McVay in Los Angeles when they took over the Rams in 2017.
He watched how Jared Goff went from disappointing rookie to Pro Bowler, eventually getting the team to a Super Bowl in 2018. Waldron demonstrated some of that same ability with Geno Smith in Seattle.
Dan Orlovsky is correct. Waldron didn’t join the Bears to coach Fields.
That may sound harsh, but it’s the truth. A big part of the appeal for taking the offensive coordinator job was the chance to work with Williams. Don’t forget Waldron has lived on the west coast for years. He is almost certainly well aware of the USC star’s exploits. One can bet his imagination is already flooding with ways to exploit Williams’ special talents. He will have a plan for how to maximize what the kid does best while working to improve what he doesn’t. Waldron knows if he gets a young QB going in Chicago, teams will be lining up to make him a head coach.
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Maybe the Bears swerve everybody and go in a different direction. Maybe they prefer Drake Maye or even Jayden Daniels. Yet Dan Orlovsky is correct. A big reason Chicago brought Waldron in is his experience with developing young players, especially quarterbacks. Teaching and communicating. Those were the words Eberflus used when describing why he hired the young coordinator. We’ll see if the decision works out.
Couldn’t the points made above on how 1) Waldron can coach up a young QB (JF is only 24 right?) and 2) in particular has done great work with slow-starter QBs like Jared Goff&Geno Smith – and probably JF – be applied to JF himself working with Waldron? So trade #1 overall to DC, NE or AZ, pick Marvin Harrison Jr with that top 4 pick, and take either Bowers at TE or one of the top EDGE rushers at #9. Draft or FA sign a center who can actually hike the ball to JF *and* not be instantly crumpled… Read more »
mOfar3, fluss is just lucky to still have a job, he is poles lap dog at this point. word is poles is picking the staff. the real question is why would poles tie himself to fluss. answer is this, if he gets an upgrade at HC, even a vrabel, he starts losing his influence, which he already did when warren came to town. its why these high profile coaches aren’t being snapped up. you hire belichick, you eventually lose your control. poles, for my cold blooded response, will want the rookie to reset his time and give himself another year,… Read more »
Wes P, no way they keep fields, splits locker room, plus, bears will get a significant offer to move him. I would bring in a tannehill type behind williams, give him a vet and safety net. but no OC is coming to bears, that we want, to coach fields, they have seen that dance and don’t want it. Waldron wants williams.
The one thing that Orlovsky left out is that the Bears may keep Justin Fields and trade the #1 pick for more draft picks.
Here’s why….. Shane Waldron coaches a similar offensive scheme to what Justin has been playing. So instead of starting over with a new plan he’ll come in and improve on the way Getsy ran it.
Second, he’s got a proven record of developing quarterbacks and improving their release time. His strengths are what Getsy lacked.
Third, the Bears need more than just a quarterback to become a threat to win the division.
I can’t wait till the draft so we can’t put this to rest. Poles is the Only GM we’ve had in the last 40 years who understands the game is won and lost in the trenches so I’m AG with whatever he decides.