NFL Rumors: Bears, Shane Waldron Working on OC Contract After 3 Seasons with Seahawks

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The Chicago Bears are working toward an agreement with Shane Waldron to make him their next offensive coordinator, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

Waldron has occupied the same role with the Seattle Seahawks for the past three seasons. His departure would come amid an uncertain time for the franchise following the ouster of longtime head coach Pete Carroll.

Before joining Seattle’s staff, he was the Los Angeles Rams’ passing game coordinator for three seasons and their tight ends coach for a year before that.

Helping Geno Smith win Comeback Player of the Year in 2022 was Waldron’s most notable achievement in the Pacific Northwest. Smith set career highs almost across the board, throwing for 4,282 yards, 30 touchdowns and 11 interceptions while leading the NFL in completion rate (69.8).

This year was a slight step backward in terms of the raw numbers. They finished 21st in yards (322.9) and 17th in scoring (21.4 points), but they were 12th in offense DVOA (defense-adjusted value over average), per FTN Fantasy.

Coming into the 2023 campaign, Pro Football Focus’ Sam Monson ranked Waldron as the fourth-best offensive coordinator in the league, citing in part Smith’s turnaround.

“It’s very difficult to parse where the credit for that unexpected season belongs, or even how real it was, but transforming a journeyman quarterback into a top-10 starter is a seriously impressive thing to put on a resume,” Monson wrote. “Waldron’s offense last season ranked 13th in expected points added per play and 12th in successful play percentage.”

It’s tough to glean what Waldron’s hiring would mean for resolving the biggest question the Bears face this offseason. He doesn’t have a defined style or the track record that would definitively point toward Chicago either keeping Justin Fields at quarterback or building the offense around Caleb Williams, Drake Maye or a different draft pick.

Perhaps the coaching staff and front office would want to hear Waldron’s input before committing to one of those two paths.