Chicago Bears Dismiss Offensive Coordinator Shane Waldron Amid Offensive Struggles
The Chicago Bears have made a decisive move in an effort to shake up their tepid offense by dismissing offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. This decision comes on the heels of an underwhelming performance that has left the team languishing near the bottom of the league in offensive efficiency.
Waldron's tenure was marred by a lack of production and internal discord. The Bears' offensive inefficiencies are starkly highlighted by statistics that place them in the bottom three for yards per play, averaging a meager 4.3. Their struggles on third downs are equally alarming, with a conversion rate of just 28.7%, again ranking among the league’s worst.
Adding to these concerns, the Bears have surrendered 38 sacks this season, underscoring protection issues that have hampered their ability to move the ball and ultimately score. The team has failed to cross the end zone in their last two outings, a testament to the systemic problems plaguing their offense.
Reports from within the organization suggest that the players had become increasingly disillusioned with Waldron’s play-calling and leadership. Star receiver D.J. Moore expressed his frustrations, noting, "I want to say probably when we want to call it's probably like a drive too late or like we wanted to make adjustments and we just wait till halftime to make it and then we don't get the same looks." This sentiment of delayed decision-making resonated with many within the team.
Keenan Allen offered additional insights, sharing, "I would say just probably he was too nice of a guy. I think during OTAs, training camp, he kind of fell into a trap of letting things go, not holding people accountable. Obviously, those things lead to a slippery slope." Waldron’s perceived leniency and lack of rigorous accountability appeared to contribute significantly to the Bears’ systemic issues.
The tipping point arguably came in September following a loss to the Indianapolis Colts, which prompted a meeting with the team’s leadership council. Head coach Matt Eberflus admitted there was lag in achieving desired outcomes. "Just didn't happen in a timely fashion," he remarked, encapsulating the broader frustrations with the offensive unit's inability to deliver.
Eberflus also illuminated the players' desire for improvement, stating, "They just want to do more. They just want to do more. They want to be more productive. More effective. Score points for our football team. Just do more as a group and then more individually in terms of helping the group." This drive for enhanced performance and strategic realignment underpins the decision to part ways with Waldron.
While the dismissal of an offensive coordinator mid-season can be seen as a drastic measure, it reflects the Bears' urgency in addressing their flagging performance. The decision is expected to ignite a much-needed realignment in both strategy and morale. As the team looks forward to this new chapter, the pressure is on for Eberflus and his coaching staff to galvanize the squad and reverse the tide of waning offensive efficacy.