The Bears have interviewed David Shaw for their vacant offensive coordinator position, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. Shaw, who is best known for his time as Stanford’s head coach, presently works as a senior personnel executive with the Broncos.
Chicago recently landed one of the most coveted head coaching candidates in the past several cycles by prying former Lions OC Ben Johnson away from its division rival. To no surprise, Johnson will call the Bears’ offensive plays himself (as relayed by Scott Bair of Marquee Sports Network), so whomever he taps as his first offensive coordinator will likely not be one of this year’s hottest OC candidates.
However, the 52-year-old Shaw has generated plenty of NFL head coaching interest in recent history. A former QB coach for the Raiders and QB/WR coach for the Ravens, Shaw joined the Stanford staff in 2007 and replaced Jim Harbaugh as the Cardinal head coach in 2011. Over his 12-year HC stint, he compiled a 96-54 overall record and three Rose Bowl titles, although the program took a nosedive towards the latter stages of his tenure, which precipitated his resignation after the 2022 season.
One of the attributes that contributed to his NFL head coaching candidacy – he in fact interviewed for Chicago’s HC post less than two weeks ago – is his work with a pro-style offense while at Stanford. That may have caught the attention of Johnson and the rest of the Bears’ brass, and Shaw’s head coaching interview clearly went well enough for the club to consider hiring him in a different capacity.
Johnson, meanwhile, indicated that the presence of quarterback Caleb Williams was one of the factors that convinced him to leave his comfortable position with the Lions and to accept the Bears’ HC post (via ESPN’s Courtney Cronin). Albert Breer of SI.com adds that Johnson would have been interested in the job at the end of the 2023 season had it been available (perhaps because he knew the Bears were in position to draft Williams).
As of the time of this writing, here is the current status of the Bears’ OC search, courtesy of our coordinator tracker:
- Declan Doyle, tight ends coach (Broncos): Rumored candidate
- Hank Fraley, offensive line coach (Lions): Rumored candidate; staying with Lions
- Bo Hardegree, quarterbacks coach (Titans): Interview requested
- David Shaw, senior personnel executive (Broncos): Interviewed 1/25
- Israel Woolfork, quarterbacks coach (Cardinals): Interview requested
The Bears need to interview at least 20 more candidates 🙂
Not really sure why Shaw would want a job that basically makes him Johnson’s Caddy. seems like it’s a job for a young guy who’s looking for a credit on his resume’. Shaw would be better off chasing the Cowboy gig with Schottenheimer. Seems like he’d be over qualified for the Bears gig. But hey if he wants it there are worse picks.
Not necessarily. Shaw needs to add to his NFL resume and OC for a rejuvenated Bears team would look good. Even if they just improve to middle of the pack it would show he can work with NFL players and coaches. For Johnson Shaw provides an experienced HC to help get up the HC learning curve. Big question is do their overall offensive philosophies align? If, so it would be a good short term arrangement.
I believe all the great philosophers belong in Greece. Let’s just get two offensive guys that can agree that outscoring opponents is a good idea.
Why would a seaon position coach, work for the Bears as an OC if the head coach is calling plays?
I mentioned yesterday in the Hardegree read that Johnson was calling all the plays. In addition, Johnson said he’s doing the playbook too. (Both from an interview with him on Profootballtalk/NBC). So I guess the OC will hold a clipboard and fart.