Bears’ Offensive Shakeup: Players Speak Out on Waldron’s Exit and Williams’ Future
The dismissal of offensive coordinator Shane Waldron has revealed deeper issues within the Chicago Bears, marking a dramatic turn in events. Players are now speaking candidly about the internal struggles that led to this mid-season coaching change, revealing a complex web of challenges facing the team.
Leadership Style Under Fire
Perhaps the most striking revelation came from veteran receiver Keenan Allen, who pointed to Waldron’s management style as a key issue. “He was too nice of a guy,” Allen stated bluntly, explaining that during OTAs and training camp, Waldron “fell into a trap of letting things go, not holding people accountable.” This lack of assertiveness, according to Allen, created a “slippery slope” that ultimately contributed to the offense’s poor performance.
The numbers paint a stark picture of these struggles. The Bears currently rank among the NFL’s worst offenses, sitting in the bottom three in several key metrics:
- 4.3 yards per play
- 28.7% third down conversion rate
- 38 sacks allowed
Adjustment Issues and Player Concerns
D.J. Moore, another key offensive player, highlighted specific tactical problems with Waldron’s approach. Moore pointed to delayed in-game adjustments as a particular pain point, noting that necessary changes would often come “a drive too late” or would be held until halftime – by which time the opportunity to capitalize on defensive weaknesses had often passed.
The situation became serious enough that Waldron met with the team’s leadership council in September following a loss to the Indianapolis Colts. However, according to ESPN reports, these discussions failed to produce meaningful changes in the offense’s effectiveness.
The Williams Factor
Adding another layer of complexity to the situation, ESPN Chicago radio host Tom Waddle reported that some veteran players have pushed for an even more dramatic change—benching rookie quarterback Caleb Williams in favor of Tyson Bagent. This revelation comes as Williams has struggled during a three-game losing streak, with the offense failing to score a touchdown in their last two games.
Head coach Matt Eberflus has stood firm on Williams’ position as starter, even as he explained the decision to remove Waldron: “They just want to do more.
They aspire to increase their productivity, effectiveness, and score more points for our football team, demonstrating a genuine desire to improve. However, their progress was not achieved in a timely manner.
Looking Ahead
The Bears have appointed passing game coordinator Thomas Brown as the new offensive coordinator, facing the immediate challenge of revitalizing an offense that has shown flashes of potential but struggled with consistency. The timing is particularly crucial as the team faces a grueling stretch of NFC North matchups against the Packers, Vikings, and Lions.
While Moore insisted that no players explicitly called for Waldron’s firing, the collective frustration with the offense’s direction clearly influenced the decision. As one veteran coach noted, “When players express frustration about an offense and are surprised by a coordinator’s firing, what did they expect?”
The Bears’ next few games will be crucial in determining whether this coaching change can spark the offensive renaissance the team desperately needs or if the issues run deeper than just coordinator-level decisions.