The Chicago Bears have concluded their search for an offensive coordinator by hiring Seattle’s Shane Waldron to replace Luke Getsy. This move presents Waldron with a unique opportunity to build an offense from the ground up, and recent reports suggest that he might be paired with a rookie quarterback.
NFL insider Brad Spielberger, known for his expertise in NFL salary cap matters and his connections in the league, revealed on the CHGO podcast that the primary reason for Waldron’s hiring was the potential selection of Caleb Williams in the 2024 NFL draft.
Several other sources have also indicated that the Bears are likely to draft a quarterback. Benjamin Allbright and Mel Kiper, prominent NFL analysts, have both projected USC quarterback Caleb Williams as the Bears’ top pick in the draft.
One compelling reason for Spielberger’s confidence in the Bears drafting Williams is the style of offense that Waldron prefers. Waldron favors a pass-heavy offense with intricate passing concepts that distribute the ball to numerous targets. During his tenure with the Seahawks, multiple players achieved 100 or more receptions in all three seasons.
Waldron’s offensive scheme places minimal emphasis on running formations and plays. Seattle ranked near the bottom in rushing attempts twice during Waldron’s tenure. This suggests that Justin Fields may not be an ideal fit for Waldron’s system.
The mismatch between Fields and Waldron’s offense implies that Fields could potentially be traded. According to an NFL draft analyst, Fields holds significant trade value, and teams like Atlanta, with solid rosters but quarterback uncertainties, might be willing to offer valuable draft assets to acquire him.
One of Fields’ key strengths is his ability to run the football, making him a potent threat on broken plays or designed runs. However, Waldron’s offense in Seattle did not feature QB run plays prominently. While there’s a chance Waldron could adjust his scheme for Fields, the statistics suggest otherwise, as Waldron hasn’t called run plays as frequently as other offensive coordinators.
Caleb Williams appears to be a more natural fit for Shane Waldron’s scheme. Williams possesses a strong arm, excels in operating within rhythm or improvising as a passer, and is a capable rusher. His skill set and style of play have drawn comparisons to Patrick Mahomes, as noted by his QB coach at USC, Kliff Kingsbury.
It’s also noteworthy that Waldron chose to join the Bears over other interested teams, indicating his confidence in the offseason plan led by Bears’ GM Ryan Poles.
For Waldron, working with a top quarterback prospect is an intriguing challenge. He has demonstrated his ability to achieve solid performance from quarterbacks like Geno Smith, but the task of designing a successful new offense with a rookie quarterback will be a test of his coaching prowess. Only time will reveal the outcome of this exciting endeavor.
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