Usually, when a player and coach arrive at an organization at the same time, the player is scrutinized more than the coach. That isn’t the case with the Chicago Bears. While Caleb Williams might be a rookie, most agree he has performed admirably in difficult conditions. Offensive coordinator Shane Waldron hasn’t done a great job building the offense around his young quarterback. The offensive line looks disjointed. Running backs haven’t found enough lanes. Even the wide receivers struggle to get open.
Former defensive end Chris Long won two Super Bowls during his career. In that time, he played on teams that had some poorly constructed offenses and teams that had excellent offenses. He knows the difference. From what he sees in Chicago, he is unimpressed with Waldron and said as much on The Rich Eisen Show.
Shane Waldron didn’t seem to come in with a plan.
He doesn’t exactly know what he wants the Bears offense to be. That lack of identity leads to uncertainty and uncertainty leads to mistakes. Long pointed out that the Washington Commanders made sure to have a plan for Jayden Daniels when he arrived. They were going to run a quick-hitting offense to get the ball out of his hands, run the ball consistently, and let the rookie use his legs when necessary. It is simple, but the players embraced it from the start and now Washington is racking up points.
Last weekend against Los Angeles felt like the first time Shane Waldron actually knew what he wanted to do. The Bears committed to running the ball while having Williams focus on high-percentage passes meant to stay ahead of the chains. It didn’t yield big numbers, but it ensured a victory. If this is how Waldron keeps things moving forward, you can at least say he stuck with what works. Whether that yields bigger results down the line is another story.
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@Dr. M What’s up with that stuff. Five negatives on funny fantasy? I have worked very hard to make sure you are considered the good doc and myself as the bad doc. Don’t blow it now! You got a good thing going.
@PoochPest – I’m not sure what you disagree with? I’ve been on Chris Morgan’s case for a long time. I’m probably late getting to the party on the full measure of Ryan Poles culpability in retaining Morgan, and thinking these players were good enough.
If that’s your gripe, No Mas – guilty as charged.
Any time a new OC changes blocking schemes and assignments, verbiage and installs his version of an offense, there are natural growing pains and adjustments that must be made. But after the fourth game, there should be enough game reps to get your timing and technique down. If not, then Waldron is not a very good coach. The OL has struggled but is improving. Waldron’s play calling seemed as though it had no real game plan behind it but was better last week. The Bears running game has been good for several years but was horrible the first few weeks.… Read more »
@Tred Sorry, but TGena and others have pointed out the offensive line for years. ALL teams have 5 basic linemen on each play. ALL teams have good ones or not-so-great linemen. ALL teams have injuries. It is the JOB of the line coach, to get every single lineman ready to play whatever position is needed. Some will do it with ease and others will struggle. But the baseline is: they have to do it as individuals and together. Great ones will pancake or stonewall their own assignment and help out. Not-so-great UDFA, rookies or new additions will ask for help.… Read more »
It is good for Chris Long to point this out, and for Erik Lambert to repeat it, for for Chicago fans to hear it: IT’S THE COACHING (COORDINATING)!!!! I hate saying “I told you so,” because it’s embarrassing, but there are players lives being ruined, budgets being blown through and time being wasted (including generations of lives lost). CJ Stroud and Jayden Daniels are smart guys, but they aren’t, smarter than Caleb Williams and Justin Fields. It’s the coaching. There are standard formats for getting new, rookie quarterbacks integrated into both the pro game, and complex offenses quickly. Neither Bill… Read more »