Replacing Luke Getsy as offensive coordinator was one of the biggest decisions of the entire offseason for the Chicago Bears. While they admitted the quarterback situation was a primary issue, GM Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus still felt something wasn’t clicking with Getsy. He’d crafted a strong running game during his two years in charge, but the lack of a cohesive passing attack kept them back. So, the team dismissed him. After meeting with nine different candidates, they hired former Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Shane Waldron as his replacement. Wide receiver Tyler Scott is already noticing a difference.
The second-year player is having one of the best starts of anybody in this year’s training camp. He’s getting openly frequently and making some big catches. When asked about the differences he is seeing between Getsy and Waldron, he admitted the new Bears offensive coordinator seems to have far more flexibility. He gives the receivers more freedom to make adjustments with their routes based on the coverage they’re seeing. This has made it far easier for him to find open space.
Tyler Scott sees what Waldron can do for him and others.
One thing about the Bears offensive coordinator is that he got a great bang for his buck in Seattle. In his first year there, the Seahawks ranked 23rd in passing. That may sound low until you realize they threw the ball the second-fewest number of times. The next year, with a former backup QB in Geno Smith, they finished 11th in passing. Last season, with injuries along the entire offensive line, they were 14th. Many will credit that to having two studs at wide receiver, DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. Go back and watch the games. Waldron constantly found ways to free them up.
This would explain why Tyler Scott is so optimistic about the change. He can see what the offensive coordinator is doing. Increased freedom puts greater trust in the players to find the weak spots in a defense, provided they put in the necessary work. Chicago has done a good job of pinpointing players with tireless work ethics. D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen, and Rome Odunze are perfect examples. If the offensive line can hold up, they and Scott are poised for a big year.
Subscribe to the BFR Youtube channel and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
What Tyler Scott is saying now, should have been apparent to everyone in the building two years ago. I wasn’t sure about Shane Waldron because even though he navigated a development of Geno Smith, he came to the Seattle job with developed receivers Lockett and Metcalf. But the incredible demise of Darnell Mooney, along with complete lack of development of Scott and Velus Jones indicated that he was doing nothing, and he wasn’t overseeing his position coaches. Everyone else saw the same indications with Justin Fields, with rigid demands on his quarterback (no interceptions and stay in the pocket), with… Read more »
That might have just been the hens flapping their wings. I don’t think Scott was in jeopardy of being cut at all. I think most in the organization knew they had a QB who was significantly limited in putting the ball where it needed to be. Honestly, I don’t think Waldron would have taken the job when Getsy did. I also think Getsy evolved over this offseason. It’s hard to make adjustments to your scheme in-season. His weaknesses were exposed once his ARod training wheels came off. I think he worked wonders for the guy that’s a Steeler now. Way… Read more »
@hehateme Exactly. And some guys just aren’t ready their rookie year. They need to be coached up to the pro level. Seems like Scott is alot more comfortable and playing free now. Guy has speed and skills. By next year I see him as the #3 when Allen is gone. Thinking he will breakout this season.
This certainly sounds like one of the things I always talk about when people want to cut somebody loose. Is the guy getting enough opportunities? Is the system which the team is using, adapted to your strengths and minimizes your weaknesses? Those are two of the biggest things that I see often why people don’t produce the on a team. System doesn’t play to their strong suit of abilities, and they’re not getting enough chances. Scott could be the perfect answer to the Bears needing an extra receiver which in his case, he would probably be number four, but he… Read more »