Grading the Chicago Bears’ recent coaching hires

The Chicago Bears’ coaching staff received a facelift this offseason, and that’s putting it lightly. Head coach Matt Eberflus was retained, but the Bears will welcome a new offensive and defensive coordinator and several new key position coaches to his staff in 2024.

Bears fans applauded the decision to part ways with offensive coordinator Luke Getsy, and his replacement (see below) has injected juice into an offseason that was already overflowing with it.

On defense, Eberflus will retain play-calling duties, but he added a defensive coordinator who can “take charge of the room” while he’s off doing head coach things.

Let’s grade the new coaches.

Offensive Coordinator: Shane Waldron

Waldron brings a wealth of experience to the Chicago Bears despite being just 44 years old. He’s a Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay disciple, which is already a positive. He also has playcalling experience, something Getsy didn’t have when Eberflus hired him in 2022.

What I’m most excited about, however, is the job he did with Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith.

Waldron spent the last three seasons as Seattle’s offensive coordinator, and under his watch, Smith went from journeyman backup quarterback to a quality starter on a playoff-caliber offense. And at the end of the day, for a team like the Bears in a city like Chicago, that’s been starved for quality quarterback play since (maybe) Jay Cutler, having a guy like Waldron with a proven record of success at the position is a big plus.

Let’s not get too excited about Waldron’s addition, though. I have a strong feeling he’ll be a one-and-done offensive coordinator for the Bears, he’ll turn Chicago’s offense into (at worst) a solid unit. And if that happens in 2024, he’ll be a head coach in 2025.

Remember: If Shane Waldron is a head coach somewhere in 2025, it means he did an awesome job for the Chicago Bears in 2024. That’s a win.

Whether he’s working with Justin Fields or Caleb Williams, Bears fans can feel confident that Chicago has the right guy in charge of their quarterback’s development.

GRADE: A

Defensive Coordinator: Eric Washington

Washington was the Buffalo Bills’ assistant head coach and defensive line coach in 2023 and is universally respected as a master teacher of defensive line play. That should excite Bears fans, Chicago’s defensive line has young talent that needs to be coached up. Enter Washington, who can focus on the art of coaching rather than play-calling.

The biggest beneficiary of Washington’s addition will be Gervon Dexter Sr., the raw but incredibly gifted second-year defensive lineman. Dexter looks the part, and at times in 2023, he played the part. But he has to become more consistent in firing off the ball to take advantage of his Chris Jones-like measurables.

The Bears are expected to add a pass-rusher early in the 2024 NFL Draft, which makes the timing for Eric Washington to join the staff even more perfect. Dexter, Zacch Pickens, and a highly drafted rookie in 2024 will learn from one of the best, and results should follow.

This will be Washington’s second stint with the Bears. He served on Lovie Smith’s staff from 2008 to 2010 (he was the defensive line coach in his final year with the team).

GRADE: A

Am I being too generous with these grades? Maybe. But let’s face it: there was concern over whether Eberflus could attract quality coordinators with his potential status as a lame duck heading into 2024. But that concern was unfounded. Not only did the Chicago Bears hire quality coordinators, but they got two of the best who were available this offseason.

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