Chicago Bears Finalizing Deal with Shane Waldron as Offensive Coordinator
The Chicago Bears are reportedly close to hiring Shane Waldron as their next offensive coordinator, according to sources. Waldron, who previously served as the offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks, was one of nine candidates the Bears interviewed for the position. He brings several seasons of coaching experience in the NFL and has worked with successful teams like the Los Angeles Rams. Waldron's hiring comes as the Bears seek to improve their offensive game and make crucial decisions at the quarterback position.
Chicago Bears Set to Hire Shane Waldron as Offensive Coordinator
The Chicago Bears are finalizing a deal to make Shane Waldron their next offensive coordinator, a source confirmed to ESPN. Waldron, 44, was the first of nine reported candidates the Bears requested to interview after firing former offensive coordinator Luke Getsy and four members of the offensive staff Jan. 10. He comes to Chicago after spending the past three seasons as the offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks.
Waldron began his NFL coaching career as an offensive quality control coach with New England in 2008 and later was the Patriots' tight ends coach. After stops in the United Football League and at UMass, Waldron returned to the NFL in 2016 with Washington before spending four seasons with the Los Angeles Rams, where he coached tight ends (2017), quarterbacks (2019) and served as the passing game coordinator.
Experience and Expertise: Shane Waldron's Coaching Journey
Including Waldron, Chicago interviewed four offensive coordinator candidates who have coached under Sean McVay. The other candidates from the McVay coaching tree included Liam Coen, Thomas Brown, and Zac Robinson. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported Sunday that the Bears had also requested to interview Chargers offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, who was blocked by Los Angeles after interviewing for the vacant head-coach opening last week.
Waldron brings three seasons of playcalling experience to Chicago. He became Seattle's offensive coordinator during Russell Wilson's final season with the Seahawks in 2021 and coached Geno Smith to a career-best season the following season, when the quarterback ranked first in completion percentage (69.8), fourth in touchdowns (30), fifth in passer rating (100.9), seventh in QBR (62.8) and eighth in passing yards (4,282).
A Crucial Offseason for the Bears
Waldron will arrive in Chicago during a pivotal offseason centered around the organization's decision at quarterback. Over the next three months, the team will need to decide whether to use the first overall pick on USC's Caleb Williams or another rookie or move forward with quarterback Justin Fields entering his fourth season.
During his season-ending news conference on Jan. 10, general manager Ryan Poles said he did not feel the team needed complete clarity on which direction it will go at quarterback when interviewing offensive coordinator candidates.
"No, I love it because you have to, what are you going to do for these four different types of quarterbacks?" Poles said. "I want to hear that, and it's really important to see the versatility and the adaptability in their teaching and the way they implement a plan, scheme, adjust. I think it actually makes it pretty dynamic in terms of the interview process."
