The Chicago Bears are moving on from former offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, perhaps the first of several moves to come in the coming months when it comes to how the franchise hopes to shepherd quarterback Caleb Williams‘ development.
It seems unequivocal at this point that head coach Matt Eberflus is on the hot seat, and wholesale changes could be handed down from general manager Ryan Poles when the offseason gets underway. Especially if Williams is unable to turn this season around and lead the Bears to the postseason.
However, before looking too far ahead, it’s worth looking back on what doomed Waldron in the first place.
According to Bears star wide receiver Keenan Allen, he saw signs of trouble for Waldron dating back to his arrival this spring, after landing in Chicago following a trade with the Los Angeles Chargers.
“I would say just probably he was too nice of a guy,” Allen told the Chicago Tribune’s Dan Wiederer. “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.”
Where Shane Waldron Went Wrong for Chicago Bears
It is certainly one thing for Waldron to be viewed as a player’s coach, especially be his players. However, it is definitely problematic for a coordinator to start allowing bad habits to fester and mistakes go uncorrected, as it seems Allen is suggesting happened during the preseason.
It’s hard to argue with Allen, especially given that the Bears rank 30th in total offense in the NFL, and given Williams’ dramatic regression over the past three weeks.
Waldron’s departure might be just the beginning of a larger shake-up in Chicago, especially with the spotlight firmly on Caleb Williams’ development.
As the Bears face a pivotal offseason in the next few months, it’s clear that fostering a culture of accountability and discipline will be crucial for any incoming coaches if the franchise hopes to build a winning foundation around their young quarterback.
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