The end of Shane Waldron’s tenure as the Chicago Bears’ offensive coordinator was met with little fanfare—if any at all.
The move came this week following another disastrous performance by the Bears’ offense, with fans likely feeling a sense of relief rather than regret. Waldron’s departure is a turning point for a team whose offensive struggles have been nothing short of disastrous, and the need for change became increasingly clear after a brutal 9-sack loss to the New England Patriots.
Despite the early offseason optimism surrounding the Bears, the reality of their offensive woes has caught up to them in 2024. After a few glimpses of hope, including standout performances from rookie quarterback Caleb Williams and veteran running back D’Andre Swift, the Bears’ offense has failed to generate any sustained success. The brief moments of excitement have been overshadowed by a lack of protection for Williams, who’s faced relentless pressure in the pocket, and a general inability to produce consistently across the board.
The Bears’ offensive line, which had been a point of focus heading into the season, has struggled mightily to provide Williams with any semblance of stability. The young quarterback, who was heralded as the franchise’s future, has been forced to deal with an overwhelming amount of pressure, culminating in the embarrassing loss to the Patriots. After allowing nine sacks in a game against one of the NFL’s weakest teams, the writing was on the wall for Waldron’s future with the team.
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Veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen offered some insight into the struggles of Waldron’s offensive system during a candid interview with the Chicago Tribune. “I would say just probably he was too nice of a guy,” Allen said, reflecting on the coach’s time leading the offense. “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.”
While it’s not often that players or coaches admit to a lack of accountability as a key issue, Allen’s comments shed light on the culture within the Bears’ offensive unit. In the world of professional football, a “nice guy” approach might be seen as a surprise, especially considering the demanding and often cutthroat nature of the NFL. Coaches are expected to be intense, disciplined, and to demand the highest standards from their players, particularly in a high-pressure environment like that of the Bears, who are expected to be in a rebuilding phase but had a lot of promise heading into 2024.
The underlying issue with Waldron’s approach may have been a disconnect between the hope surrounding the Bears’ offseason moves and the execution on the field. Chicago entered training camp with high expectations, fueled by the addition of key players to their skilled positions and the drafting of Williams. The optimism surrounding the Bears was based on potential rather than proven results, and it appears that they may have misjudged the work required to turn that potential into reality. The result? An unprepared, disorganized, and lackluster offensive unit that has been unable to get out of its own way.
When looking back at Waldron’s time with the Bears, it’s clear that the team was not ready for the grind of the 2024 season. While the defense showed promise—at times in 2023 and early in 2024—it was never going to be enough to carry a team with such a glaring offensive issue. Without the offense finding any rhythm, the defense could only do so much. Waldron’s inability to find answers to these problems ultimately cost him his job, and the Bears now turn to interim offensive coordinator Thomas Brown to try to turn things around.
However, there are no guarantees that the Bears’ offense will magically improve under Brown’s leadership. Fans should be cautiously optimistic about any immediate change. While Brown has experience, it’s not as though the Bears’ offensive problems will be solved overnight. The issues run deep—both in terms of execution and preparation—and Brown will need to quickly address what Waldron couldn’t.
At a minimum, there is hope that Brown can inject some much-needed accountability into the Bears’ offense. It remains to be seen whether the players will respond to a new voice and a different approach, but if anyone has the potential to make a difference, it’s veteran players like Keenan Allen, who has seen his fair share of offensive coaching changes and may be able to spot the difference a new system can make. Allen’s experience can serve as a guiding force for the younger players who need leadership, and his insights will be key in determining if the offense can recover from its struggles.
The shift in leadership marks a significant moment for the Bears’ franchise as they attempt to re-establish themselves as contenders in the NFC North. While it’s too early to tell if the offensive issues will be resolved, the move to part ways with Waldron signals the urgency with which the Bears are treating their current situation. The franchise is in a critical rebuilding phase, and with a top-tier quarterback like Williams under center, it’s vital that the Bears get their offense on track to maximize his potential.
The immediate task for Thomas Brown will be to stabilize the offensive line, which has been one of the biggest culprits in the Bears’ offensive struggles. Protecting Caleb Williams will be priority number one, as the rookie quarterback is too talented to continue taking the kind of hits he has been enduring. Beyond that, Brown will need to find a way to get more consistent production out of the skill players, namely D’Andre Swift and the receiving corps, to give Williams the tools he needs to succeed.
In the long term, the Bears will need to address more than just the offensive coordinator position. This is a franchise in the midst of a rebuild, and while firing Waldron was necessary, it’s only the first step in the larger project to return to relevance in the NFC. The real challenge lies in developing a cohesive team that can execute at a high level on both sides of the ball.
For now, the Bears will continue to search for answers, but one thing is clear: the days of optimism entering 2024 have been replaced by a sense of urgency. The team needs results, and the clock is ticking on their efforts to right the ship under new offensive leadership. Fans may be wary of placing too much hope in a quick turnaround, but as always in the NFL, change is necessary to break free from mediocrity. Whether Thomas Brown can deliver that change remains to be seen.
