Replacing Luke Getsy as offensive coordinator was one of the biggest decisions of the entire offseason for the Chicago Bears. While they admitted the quarterback situation was a primary issue, GM Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus still felt something wasn’t clicking with Getsy. He’d crafted a strong running game during his two years in charge, but the lack of a cohesive passing attack kept them back. So, the team dismissed him. After meeting with nine different candidates, they hired former Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Shane Waldron as his replacement. Wide receiver Tyler Scott is already noticing a difference.
The second-year player is having one of the best starts of anybody in this year’s training camp. He’s getting openly frequently and making some big catches. When asked about the differences he is seeing between Getsy and Waldron, he admitted the new Bears offensive coordinator seems to have far more flexibility. He gives the receivers more freedom to make adjustments with their routes based on the coverage they’re seeing. This has made it far easier for him to find open space.
One thing about the Bears offensive coordinator is that he got a great bang for his buck in Seattle. In his first year there, the Seahawks ranked 23rd in passing. That may sound low until you realize they threw the ball the second-fewest number of times. The next year, with a former backup QB in Geno Smith, they finished 11th in passing. Last season, with injuries along the entire offensive line, they were 14th. Many will credit that to having two studs at wide receiver, DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. Go back and watch the games. Waldron constantly found ways to free them up.
This would explain why Tyler Scott is so optimistic about the change. He can see what the offensive coordinator is doing. Increased freedom puts greater trust in the players to find the weak spots in a defense, provided they put in the necessary work. Chicago has done a good job of pinpointing players with tireless work ethics. D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen, and Rome Odunze are perfect examples. If the offensive line can hold up, they and Scott are poised for a big year.
