Bears OC departure has an adverse effect on Justin Fields and the Team
What First Bears OC Interest Could Mean to Justin Fields
Those who believe the Bears tipped plans to trade Justin Fields based on reading tea leaves from their postseason press conference answers might want to rethink what they heard.
The report by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero that the Bears asked permission to interview Seahawks offensive coordinator Shane Waldron could easily be interpreted to mean they plan to keep Fields.
It was Waldron who resurrected the career of another mobile passer, Seattle’s Geno Smith, in 2022.
Waldron could be available now only because of Pete Carroll’s departure in Seattle.
Waldron was part of the Sean McVay coaching tree with the Rams and even in Washington, and he became Seahawks offensive coordinator in 2021. He wasn’t necessarily more effective statistically but the Seahawks did succeed in making the playoffs with Smith as starter.
Smith had started only five NFL games over the previous seven seasons but wound up with a three-year, $75 million contract because he was so successful in 2022. Smith completed 69.8% of passes, threw for 30 TD passes and 11 interceptions with a 100.9 passer rating in his second Seattle season and first as starter. He had been backup in Waldron’s first season in Seattle.
Whether it means anything for Fields or not, Waldron is definitely a qualified candidate for the offensive coordinator position with a history of success from a proven coaching tree.
Waldron first became an NFL assistant in 2008 with the Patriots and was on Bill Belichick’s staff as quality control coach one season, then tight ends coach in 2009. After a college stint, he was with the Washington Redskins in 2016 as a quality control coach under McVay, who was Jay Gruden’s offensive coordinator. Waldron went to the Rams with McVay as tight ends coach, then quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator.
Waldron’s Seahawks teams were 21st on offense and 17th in scoring in 2023, 13th overall and ninth in scoring in 2022 and 20th in yards and 16th in scoring in 2021.
Want another tip off about Bears plans for 2024? The photo display on their website featuring their London game has Fields as the main figure. Hmmmm.