PFF tabs Chicago Bears OC Shane Waldron for coordinator to watch list

Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Shane Waldron is the man being trusted with overseeing a potentially explosive offense in 2024. Waldron is being tasked with building the offense around No. 1 overall quarterback Caleb Williams. At Williams’ disposal is a plethora of weapons, a list that includes D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze, Cole Kmet, D’Andre Swift, and others.

The Bears poached Waldron from the Seattle Seahawks earlier this offseason. If Waldron helps Chicago’s offense meet its potential throughout 2024, he’ll undeniably become a potential head coaching candidate next offseason. NFL teams are obsessed with hiring offensive-minded coaches that develop young quarterbacks.

That’s precisely why Pro Football Focus recently named Waldron to their “eight coordinators to watch in 2024” list.

8 coordinators to keep an eye out for this season https://t.co/PuBXLp2XvK

— PFF (@PFF) July 1, 2024

“Waldron has been around the block a bit, serving as the Seahawks’ offensive coordinator from 2021-23,” PFF’s Bradley Locker wrote. “Despite having a boatload of talent, Seattle’s offense didn’t always look phenomenal last year, finishing 12th in PFF grade and 10th in EPA per play. However, Waldron did outstanding work to revive Geno Smith’s career, a marvel that still isn’t discussed enough.”

“If the Bears’ offense fires as expected in Waldron’s first year, and especially if Williams has a strong rookie campaign, expect the 44-year-old Sean McVay protégé to get legitimate head coaching opportunities.”

McVay does have one of the most successful coaching trees around the league. Several of his ex assistants are currently in head coaching roles, a list that includes a pair of NFC North head coaches in Green Bay’s Matt LaFleur and Minnesota’s Kevin O’Connell.

Waldron could be next in line.