The Bears brought on Shane Waldron not to collaborate exclusively with a particular quarterback but because of his ability to work effectively with whichever quarterback Ryan Poles ultimately acquires.
Dave Wannstedt joins Mark Carman on Football Night in Chicago to discuss the reasons behind Justin Fields not being considered the future quarterback for the Bears.
Ultimately, the Bears’ quest for a new offensive coordinator led them to a candidate who fulfills all the criteria outlined by coach Matt Eberflus and general manager Ryan Poles after the dismissal of Luke Getsy.
Sources confirm that the Bears are in the final stages of securing a contract with Shane Waldron, currently the offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks, as reported by NBC Sports Chicago on Monday morning.
Waldron, aged 44, brings valuable experience as a play-caller with roots in the Shanahan coaching lineage. Notably, he has worked with a diverse range of quarterbacks, including Jared Goff and Geno Smith.
Waldron is poised to play a crucial role in the Bears’ franchise-defining decision regarding the quarterback position in the upcoming offseason.
During Poles’ year-end press conference, he commended Justin Fields’ progress and highlighted the rare opportunity the Bears have with the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, acquired from the Carolina Panthers. Eberflus and Poles emphasized that part of the interview process involved questioning candidates on how they would design an offense around quarterbacks with different skill sets.
Waldron’s responsibilities will now include advancing Justin Fields’ development or launching Caleb Williams’ NFL career on a positive trajectory.
Having worked under the guidance of Bill Belichick, Sean McVay, and Pete Carroll, Waldron is widely regarded in the league as a “smart,” “innovative,” and “versatile” coach capable of adapting his offensive strategies to suit the strengths of his personnel.
Despite the Bears initially promising an extensive search for their next offensive coordinator, they opted for a candidate not limited to a specific quarterback option. Although they interviewed run-game specialist Greg Roman, aligned with Fields, and met with USC senior offensive analyst Kliff Kingsbury, who coached Williams in the past season, neither secured the position.
In selecting Waldron, the Bears managed to keep their intentions undisclosed.
Waldron’s offensive background is rooted in the Shanahan tree, a system initially devised by renowned head coach Mike Shanahan and subsequently adapted by figures like Kyle Shanahan, McVay, Mike McDaniel, and others.
The decision to hire Waldron doesn’t offer any clear insight into the Bears’ overarching strategy going forward.
While it can be acknowledged that Fields operated in a somewhat similar system under Luke Getsy last season, Getsy’s offense did not strictly adhere to the Shanahan tree approach. It incorporated RPO (Run-Pass Option) influences from Getsy’s college experience and fell short of Eberflus’ expectations when he recruited Getsy from the Green Bay Packers. Therefore, Fields’ previous exposure to Getsy’s offense did not influence the choice to bring in Waldron.
The same analysis applies to Williams’ ongoing collaboration with coach Rich Scangarello, whom he encountered at the QB Collective. The QB Collective is a pro-style invitation-only quarterback camp for top high school prospects, organized by Mike Shanahan and featuring coaches like Kyle Shanahan, McVay, McDaniel, Matt LaFleur, Waldron, Scangarello, and others.
Although Fields also participated in the QB Collective during high school, Williams does not hold a distinct advantage in that regard.
Poles indicated that he might delay the quarterback decision until the last minute. He has already begun engaging with Williams, seeking insights from Kingsbury in the guise of a job interview. The scouting efforts are ongoing.
Ultimately, the Bears opted for the best-suited candidate in Waldron, whose availability arose when Pete Carroll stepped down as the head coach of the Seahawks. Throughout his coaching career, Waldron has worked with various positions, including tight ends, wide receivers, offensive linemen, and quarterbacks. His ability to teach his system to each position group makes him a crucial figure with significant responsibilities: guiding Fields’ continued development into a top-tier starting quarterback or nurturing Williams into the long-sought franchise quarterback the Bears have pursued for over three decades.
Waldron wasn’t chosen with a specific quarterback in mind, but his role will undeniably be vital in assessing options and making the monumental decision that lies ahead. By selecting the Bears over other potential destinations, Waldron positioned himself as a central figure in the regime’s mission to transform the Bears from an NFL Greek tragedy into a perennial contender with a stable solution under center. The decision to hire Waldron wasn’t based on his compatibility with Fields or his effectiveness in mentoring Williams; rather, it was rooted in his reputation for success, regardless of the path the Bears choose to take.
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