The Chicago Bears have made a significant move to address their struggling offense, announcing the dismissal of offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. The decision follows a period of underperformance, marked by internal discord and public dissatisfaction with the team's offensive efficiency.
Performance Woes and Statistics
The Bears' offense has been underwhelming this season, ranking near the bottom of the league in key performance metrics. The team finds itself in the bottom three for offensive efficiency, averaging just 4.3 yards per play. They are also near the bottom in third down conversion percentage, at a dismal 28.7%. Compounding these issues, the Bears' offensive line has allowed 38 sacks this season, severely impacting their ability to maintain drives and score. Most alarmingly, the Bears failed to score a touchdown in their past two games, highlighting a critical deficiency in their offensive strategy.
Internal Discord and Accountability Issues
Shane Waldron's tenure as offensive coordinator was marred not only by poor statistical performance but also by internal conflict. Players have expressed dissatisfaction with Waldron’s strategies and leadership, indicating a disconnect between the coaching staff and the players. D.J. Moore, for instance, criticized the timing of play calls, stating, "I want to say probably when we want to call it's probably like a drive too late or like we wanted to make adjustments and we just wait till halftime to make it and then we don't get the same looks."
Keenan Allen echoed these sentiments, pointing out an apparent lack of accountability within the team. "I would say just probably he was too nice of a guy. I think during OTAs, training camp, he kind of fell into a trap of letting things go, not holding people accountable. Obviously those things lead to a slippery slope," Allen remarked, highlighting how off-field issues have tangibly affected on-field outcomes.
Leadership Response
Head coach Matt Eberflus acknowledged the team's struggles and the lag in achieving desired outcomes. "Just didn't happen in a timely fashion," Eberflus admitted, expressing a sense of urgency within the organization to reverse their fortunes. He noted the players' eagerness to do more, both collectively and individually. "They just want to do more. They just want to do more. They want to be more productive. More effective. Score points for our football team. Just do more as a group and then more individually in terms of helping the group," Eberflus commented, hinting at a burgeoning desire among the team to turn things around.
In September, after a disheartening loss to the Indianapolis Colts, tensions reached a peak, prompting a meeting with the Bears' leadership council. This meeting underscored the critical need for restructuring within the team's offensive strategy. The dismissal of Waldron is seen as a move to realign strategy and boost morale, aiming to restore a sense of vigor and accountability that has been lacking.
Looking Ahead
The Bears are hopeful that parting ways with Waldron will serve as a catalyst for change. While head coach Eberflus must now navigate the challenges of an interim period, the expectation is clear: the Bears aim to rejuvenate their offense and make a strong push to improve in the latter half of the season. The team and its fans will be watching closely to see if these changes translate into tangible improvements on the field, as the Bears strive to climb out of the depths of offensive ineffectiveness.