The Chicago Bears have made a significant move to try and jumpstart their struggling offense, firing offensive coordinator Shane Waldron just weeks into the season. The decision comes after a series of dismal performances, with the Bears now enduring a 23-possession stretch without a touchdown. In fact, the last time the Bears found the end zone was in the fourth quarter of their 18-15 loss to Washington—a game that feels like a distant memory in the wake of their 29-9 loss to Arizona and a brutal 19-3 defeat at home to the New England Patriots.
Waldron, who was hired in the offseason to replace Luke Getsy, will not be calling plays come Sunday against the Green Bay Packers. Tom Pelissero of NFL Network broke the news on Tuesday, reporting that Waldron’s firing marks the latest attempt by head coach Matt Eberflus to shake up a floundering offense. Although Eberflus had previously hinted at changes, he did not reveal specifics until this announcement.
A New Offensive Philosophy?
The Bears’ offense has been downright abysmal under Waldron’s guidance. Currently ranked 30th in overall offense and 24th in scoring, the Bears’ struggles have been especially concerning in the passing game, where they sit dead last in the league in passing yards per game. The rushing attack, once considered the team’s bread and butter, has also slipped to 24th, despite the presence of running back David Montgomery and an offensive line that, on paper, should be better than its numbers suggest.
The fall-off from last season is stark. Under Getsy in 2023, the Bears were ranked 20th in total offense, 27th in passing, and second in rushing. The regression with Waldron as the play-caller has been significant and alarming, given that the offense was expected to improve, especially with quarterback Justin Fields entering his second season and the team adding new talent during the offseason.
The Struggles of Justin Fields
One of the most pressing concerns has been the play of quarterback Justin Fields. Fields, who had shown flashes of brilliance in his rookie year, seemed poised to take a major leap forward this season. However, his performance has been underwhelming, and the numbers tell the story.
After six games under Waldron, Fields was completing 65.3% of his passes with a passer rating of 88.7, along with nine touchdowns and five interceptions. But in the past three games—against defenses that were not exactly known for their dominance—Fields’ completion percentage has dipped to 60.5%, and his passer rating has fallen to a concerning 81.0. He still has nine touchdown passes, but his struggles to move the ball consistently and execute Waldron’s scheme have been glaring.
Given that Waldron was brought in to help refine the passing game and unlock Fields’ potential, the lack of progress has raised serious questions about the direction of the offense. The regression has reached a point where the Bears’ offense now feels like it’s taking two steps back for every one step forward.
A Change in Leadership
In the wake of Waldron’s dismissal, passing game coordinator Luke Brown—who was the offensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers last season—will reportedly take over some of the duties, although it’s unclear whether he will fully assume the offensive coordinator role or just handle play-calling responsibilities moving forward. It’s a step that speaks to the urgency of the situation for Eberflus and the Bears’ front office, who have been under increasing pressure after a series of disappointing seasons.
While it’s too soon to say if this change will spark a turnaround for the Bears, the timing is telling. The team is desperate for a spark, and with a pivotal matchup against the Green Bay Packers coming up, the Bears will need to show signs of life on offense. If Fields and the offense can’t get on track with a new voice calling the shots, the Bears could be staring down another lost season in the NFC North.
Conclusion: Is There Hope for the Bears?
The firing of Shane Waldron is just the latest chapter in the Bears’ long-running offensive struggles. After years of mediocrity, Chicago’s front office and coaching staff clearly feel that they need a change, not just to salvage this season but to prove that the team is headed in the right direction. Whether this change will yield immediate results is uncertain, but the reality is clear: the Bears can’t afford to continue wasting the talents of young players like Justin Fields, who still has the potential to be the franchise quarterback.
As the Bears prepare for their Sunday showdown with the Green Bay Packers, the spotlight will be on the offense to see if the switch in play-callers can lead to any improvement. If not, more drastic changes may be coming for a team that’s been searching for answers for far too long.
