It wasn’t a secret among the fanbase. People were skeptical that head coach Matt Eberflus would be able to conduct an effective search for a new Chicago Bears offensive coordinator. This is the same man who pinpointed Luke Getsy as the solution two years ago. That obviously didn’t work out. Now he was entering what many feel is a pivotal third year where he needs to post a winning record at least, if not make the playoffs. Many felt having that hanging over his head would make it impossible to lure a top coordinator to Chicago. Ultimately, he landed what several experts considered one of the best available in Shane Waldron.
From an outside perspective, it made sense. The veteran assistant had spent three years holding the same job with the Seattle Seahawks. He ran a variation of the popular Kyle Shanahan/Sean McVay offensive system called the wide-zone. When implemented correctly, it is one of the most successful offenses in football. Waldron did some great work, elevating quarterback Geno Smith to a Pro Bowl level and helping Seattle to consecutive winning seasons. So why did Eberflus go for him over the eight other candidates the Bears spoke to?
It came down to how he teaches and who he’s learned from.
“We are excited to add Shane to our coaching staff. I also want to thank all the candidates we spoke to throughout the interview process. This was a very exhaustive search, but in the end I’m grateful the journey led us to Shane. He is a great teacher and communicator with a diverse coaching background among some of the game’s most elite head coaches. I look forward to partnering with him as we build out the rest of the staff and get him started here.”
Matt Eberflus knows Waldron is well-educated.
He got his start in the NFL working under Bill Belichick in New England. After a stint in college for a few years, he returned in 2016, where he connected with Sean McVay in Washington. Together, they headed west to Los Angeles, where they built the Rams into a powerhouse. Over the past three years, Waldron worked in Seattle under another future Hall of Famer, Pete Carroll. Those are some incredible football minds to learn from, and all of them are different. That gave Waldron a great perspective on how there can be more than one way to help players find success.
That, along with his ability to elevate his quarterbacks, are likely the primary reasons Matt Eberflus pinpointed him for the job. Most believe the Bears will select one of the top prospects in the 2024 draft this April. Having somebody like Waldron running such a QB-friendly system feels like a must. It certainly did wonders for guys like Jared Goff, Jordan Love, and C.J. Stroud early in their careers. The only lingering unknown is who they plan to take, presuming Justin Fields is on his way out.
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Pooch, I think Getsy’s growth is this off-season. I’d say the exact same about Waldron. It’s a hard adjustment in-season for these coordinaors to tweak their playbook.
I’d say the same for Poles. That’s just a tough ask for the new combo of 1st timers with our GM, HC, OC, and QB with difficulty grasping fundamentals. I said before, I think they learned the importance of the preseason, although I know injuries dictated some.
I don’t know if Reich would have initially been Flus’ OC.
TWTY, Didn’t the peasants invent the guillotine to not argue with kings?
Chop! Chop!
@jmscooby You’re right about Robinson. I think there are good names with connections in coaching, but I also think there are a lot of new, young coaching faces who could use a “tree” opportunity to learn, practice and build experience. I’m not opposed to young, unknowns. I am opposed to young and old stubborn fools. Getsy’s refusal to adjust, either to his players, “his” scheme and the opponents or the game just annoyed me. Ruining the careers of decent players without even giving them a chance to succeed just pissed me off. (I know everyone thinks I’m talking about Fields,… Read more »
@Arnie
Love your explanation of “wide zone.” More people should tune into your seminars. Same blocking scheme Denver used to get Elway a ring (as a bystander after years of putting up stats and not getting to the Big Game).
I may be wrong, pooch, but I think Robinson worked under Waldron. I was hoping we could get him too as our QB coach, but he’s higher up with the Rams. He’s the next McVay up and comer.
I do like Miami’s offense, but I think it is held back by Tua’s arm strength down the field. He’s Brees accurate in the short game, but it falls apart at 15+. Kinda like Bagent, but not as extreme.