Bears Hire Shane Waldron as Offensive Coordinator

I love this hire for the Chicago Bears. I do think Shane Waldron could develop a rookie QB, like Caleb Williams. However, I believe his work with Geno Smith is a direct sign that points towards the Bears KEEPING JUSTIN FIELDS in 2024. Shane Waldron helped turn Geno Smith's career around. He was 32 years old and considered a "BUST" in the NFL. After working with Shane Waldron, he is now an NFL Comeback Player Of Year, was an MVP Candidate in 2022 and signed a new 3 year $75 Million Dollar deal. He has thrown over 50 TDs in two seasons and threw for over 4,000 yards in 2022. He also gets the ball out MUCH quicker now than he ever did in his career. Shane Waldron helped him DEVELOP as a passer and this is the most important part about the hire. He helped Geno Smith IMMENSELY, and I believe he can do wonders with Justin Fields. ESPECIALLY if we give him a BIG WR like he had in Seattle with DK Metcalf. We already got a Tyler Lockett type with DJ Moore, who is actually better than Lockett in my opinion.

BUT DIGGING in deep. I have some graphics from Patton Analytics about Shane Waldron's success in Seattle.

This chart from @PattonAnalytics shows Waldron as a Top 10 Play Caller in the 2023. This takes into account how effective he was overall. On top of he has a second chart that maps out the data a little better here:

Both charts show Waldron in the Top 10. He had a ton of success with a QB who had never done much of anything in the NFL. Imagining what he could do with Justin Fields talent or even a rookie like Caleb Williams is exciting. Waldron understands how to set up defenses and add wrinkles to his scheme every week. He can make this Bears offense better, but a couple of other points about Shane Waldron. His offense worked best with a BIG freak WR at the X position, in D.K. Metcalf. Does that signal us getting a similar WR like Marvin Harrison Jr or Rome Odunze? It's definitely something to consider. BUT what about another Tight End? People have asked me about 12 Personnel Usage and I found this Chart by Clayton Eckert that charted which teams used 12 Personnel (1 RB, 2 TE) the MOST in 2023 and how much success they had. Chart here:

As you can see by this chart, Shane Waldron used 12 Personnel 5th most in the NFL, but had the HIGHEST success rate in the entire league. This would hint that the Bears plan to run more 12 Personnel this year to me. Especially since the Seahawks didn't have the greatest Tight Ends and had 3 STUD receivers with DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett and Jaxon Smith-Njigba (this years 1st Round Pick out of Ohio State). This would lead me to believe he favors the two Tight End set and could lead to the Bears adding another Tight End this offseason. Overall, I am very excited about the hiring of Shane Waldron. He brings experience and upside to the Chicago Bears offense. Thanks to everyone for reading. For more Bears or NFL Draft coverage check me out on Youtube or Facebook at Swift Sports Network!

• Joshua aka Swift from Swift Sports