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Bears Hire Shane Waldron As OC

January 22nd, 2024 at 9:40pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Bears’ search for a new offensive coordinator is set to come to an end. Chicago is finalizing an agreement with Seahawks OC Shane Waldron, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Waldron was one of several staffers who interviewed for the position after Luke Getsy was fired. That move came as little surprise after Chicago failed to take a tangible step forward in the passing game this season. Improvement in that regard will be a top priority for Waldron, head coach Matt Eberflus and whichever quarterback the Bears make a commitment to for 2024 and beyond.

The Bears requested an interview with nine OC candidates, beginning with Waldron. The 44-year-old has served as Seattle’s play-caller for the past three seasons, and he drew praise for his work in the 2022 season in particular. Quarterback Geno Smith enjoyed a resurgent campaign that year, and he earned himself a new contract in the process. Smith and the Seahawks did not follow up as expected in 2023, however, ranking 17th in scoring and 21st in total offense en route to missing the postseason.

A step forward from those figures will be needed in the future to help Chicago return to postseason contention. The Bears showed signficant improvement on defense in the second half of the campaign, but they finished the season ranked just 27th in passing yards per game. That showing contrasts with the team’s second-place finish in rushing, and a better balance will need to be struck in either another year with Justin Fields at the helm or a rookie season for the top pick in April’s draft.

If the Bears do elect to move on from Fields and start over using the No. 1 selection, they will likely do so by adding Caleb Williams. For that reason, it was particularly notable when USC quarterbacks coach Kliff Kingsbury found himself on the Bears’ radar by receiving an interview request. Kingsbury and Williams worked together in 2023 with the Trojans, so adding them as a package deal this offseason would have come as little surprise. Williams may well find himself in Chicago soon, but it will be Waldron in charge of the offense if that happens.

The latter began his NFL coaching career in 2008 with the Patriots before spending time in the UFL and the college ranks. Waldron put himself on the coordinator radar during his four-year tenure with the Rams, which included three seasons as the team’s passing game coordinator. After a three-year run in Seattle, he will look to deliver more consistent results in Chicago.

As ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler notes, the Bears attempted to speak with Chargers OC Kellen Moore for their vacancy, but they were blocked from doing so. Moore has spoken with Los Angeles about the team’s head coaching position, so it comes as little surprise an opportunity for a lateral move was denied. While Moore’s future remains in the air, Waldron’s is now clear as he prepares for a move to the Windy City.

Coordinator Notes: Pitcher, Robinson, Williams, Kelly

January 22nd, 2024 at 8:24pm CST by Ben Levine

Bengals quarterbacks coach Dan Pitcher appears to be a clear successor to offensive coordinator Brian Callahan, who is set to become the Titans head coach. However, that inside shot at the Cincy gig won’t stop Pitcher from taking coordinator interviews elsewhere.

[RELATED: 2024 Offensive/Defensive Coordinator Search Tracker]

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Pitcher is set to meet with the Patriots virtually tomorrow before meeting in-person with the Raiders tomorrow night. Pitcher is then expected to meet with the Saints on Thursday. According to Albert Breer of SI.com, Pitcher actually already met virtually with the Saints and is scheduled for an in-person second interview on Thursday.

The Raiders connection is also notable. As Jay Morrison of Pro Football Network points out, Marvin Lewis is expected to be on the Raiders coaching staff, and it was Lewis who gave Pitcher his first NFL job.

Considering the success of Joe Burrow, it’s not a surprise that Pitcher is in line for a promotion. The SUNY Cortland product has spent the past four seasons as the Bengals quarterbacks coach, and he’s been with the organization since 2016.

For what it’s worth, Pitcher signed an extension with the Bengals last offseason. However, that deal surely won’t stop the coach from pursuing a promotion elsewhere, although there’s a chance that opportunity comes in Cincinnati.

More coordinator notes from around the NFL…

  • Rams passing-game coordinator Zac Robinson has generated more offensive coordinator interviews. According to Breer, both the Steelers and Raiders have requested interviews with Robinson regarding their OC vacancies. Robinson has been connected to the majority of the OC openings in the NFL. He’s set to interview with the Patriots and Saints, and he was a candidate for the Bears job before they hired Shane Waldron. Robinson has spent his entire coaching career in Los Angeles, working his way up from assistant quarterbacks coach to passing game coordinator/quarterbacks coach.
  • Titans assistant head coach/defensive line coach Terrell Williams will interview for the Bears defensive coordinator job, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. Following stints as the Raiders and Dolphins defensive line coach, Williams took the same job with the Bears in 2018. He’s spent the past six years in that role, and he earned a promotion to assistant head coach this past season. Williams’ future in Tennessee is unclear considering the team’s decision to fire Mike Vrabel following the season. Williams joins a growing list of Bears defensive coordinator candidates, a grouping that includes fellow Titans coach Chris Harris.
  • A notable name could emerge as an offensive coordinator candidate. Sources told Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports that Chip Kelly has been mentioned as an offensive coordinator possibility by a handful of head coaching candidates. As a result, several organizations have already started doing their due diligence on the former Eagles and 49ers head coach. Kelly has been the head coach at UCLA since 2018, and he recently signed an extension that will keep him with the school through at least the 2027 season.

Bears To Interview Titans’ Chris Harris For DC Position

January 21st, 2024 at 8:54pm CST by Ely Allen

For the second year in a row, Titans defensive pass game coordinator and cornerbacks coach Chris Harris has been a popular candidate to become a first-time defensive coordinator in the NFL. His most recent opportunity will take him back to Chicago, where he will interview for the Bears defensive coordinator position, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.

Harris’ NFL career began as a sixth-round draft pick for the Bears out of Louisiana-Monroe. Even as a late-round pick, Harris earned a starting role as a rookie and, after being traded back and forth from the Panthers, Harris left Chicago as a well-respected defender in the Windy City.

The former NFL safety began his coaching career almost immediately after announcing his retirement. Just like his playing career, Harris’ coaching career began with the Bears, as well. After two years as Chicago’s defensive quality control coach, Harris earned an assistant defensive backs coaching job with the Chargers. He got his first full position coaching job in 2020 in Washington, staying with the Commanders as their defensive backs coach until 2022. He joined Mike Vrabel‘s staff in Tennessee for the 2023 season, leaving Washington for the position he holds now.

Before officially heading to Nashville, though, Harris interviewed for a couple defensive coordinator jobs in Houston and San Francisco. Ultimately, he did join the Titans and spent 2023 in Tennessee. That trend from the 2023 offseason has continued into 2024, though, as, once again, multiple teams are interested in interviewing Harris to potentially call plays for their defenses. This past week, the Jaguars interviewed Harris as a potential option to replace Mike Caldwell as defensive coordinator.

Now, the Bears will have an opportunity to interview Harris, as well, and better yet, an opportunity to bring him back to Chicago. Bears head coach Matt Eberflus found himself serving double duty after defensive coordinator Alan Williams re-signed extremely early in the season. Eberflus remaining on staff would be ideal for a first-year coordinator like Harris, providing a safety net and sage advice in the first year calling plays for a rookie DC. Harris could end up being a perfect fit in a possible return to Chicago.

Kliff Kingsbury, Marcus Brady, Zac Robinson On Bears’ OC Radar

January 18th, 2024 at 1:11pm CST by Sam Robinson

Kliff Kingsbury spent this season out of the NFL, returning to the college ranks after his Cardinals ouster. The Bears are interested in gauging his credentials for their newly vacated offensive coordinator gig.

The USC assistant is expected to interview for the Chicago opening, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets. Kingsbury has never been an NFL coordinator, though he spent four seasons as the Cards’ HC. Additionally, the Bears requested an OC meeting with Eagles assistant Marcus Brady, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. Brady spent two seasons as Colts OC under Frank Reich.

With Caleb Williams potentially Chicago-bound, the Kingsbury fit would certainly be interesting. Kingsbury joined Lincoln Riley’s staff ahead of Williams’ final Trojans season, serving as the Pac-12 program’s quarterbacks coach. The familiarity gained would be of interest to a Bears team — perhaps even as an additional Williams scouting mission.

Although Kingsbury is the bigger name here, Brady and Matt Eberflus have more history. Both were assistants under Reich from 2018-21. The 2021 season involved Brady, who replaced Nick Sirianni as Indianapolis’ OC, and Eberflus in place as Reich’s coordinators.

The Reich coaching tree has taken a hit this year, seeing as Reich himself has been fired during the past two seasons and Sirianni’s Eagles completing one of the most shocking freefalls in recent memory. But Eberflus received a third year with the Bears, showing improvement down the stretch. He should be expected to meet with Brady, who spent this season as a senior offensive assistant in Philly. Brady has not yet called plays in the NFL, with Reich holding that responsibility throughout his Colts tenure.

Kingsbury, 43, guided a Cardinals team down J.J. Watt and DeAndre Hopkins to the playoffs in 2021. But cracks in Arizona’s foundation became glaringly apparent a year later. Kingsbury-Kyler Murray discord emerged, and the Cardinals’ offense — already reliant on shorter passes — took a step back in a 4-13 campaign that ended with Murray on the shelf with a torn ACL and Kingsbury fired months after he had inked an extension. The Cards ranked 21st offensively in 2022 but finished 13th and 11th in 2020 and ’21, respectively. Kingsbury was believed to be rejecting OC meetings last year, though he did end up in Houston to discuss the Texans’ play-calling job that went to Bobby Slowik.

Returning to the college level, Kingsbury coached Williams to another strong season. Although Williams was not on the Heisman radar in 2023, he topped his Heisman-year numbers in yards per attempt and completion percentage. The Trojans also finished third in scoring nationally, matching their place from 2022.

Additionally, the Bears scheduled an OC interview with Rams quarterbacks coach Zac Robinson, SI.com’s Albert Breer tweets. Robinson, 37, has been on Sean McVay’s Rams staff for the past five years. Four of those, including the team’s Super Bowl-winning year, have come coaching QBs. Losing OC Kevin O’Connell in 2022, McVay elevated Robinson to QBs coach; he had been L.A.’s assistant QBs coach in 2021. The Rams went outside the organization to replace Liam Coen as OC, hiring Mike LaFleur, but Robinson remained onboard as QBs coach.

The Bears, who essentially have a Williams-or-Justin Fields decision looming, is Kingsbury’s first connection to another NFL job. Here is how their OC chase looks so far:

  • Marcus Brady, senior offensive assistant (Eagles): Interview requested
  • Thomas Brown, offensive coordinator (Panthers): To interview
  • Liam Coen, offensive coordinator (Kentucky): To interview
  • Kliff Kingsbury, quarterbacks coach (USC): To interview
  • Greg Olson, quarterbacks coach (Seahawks): Interviewed 1/12
  • Zac Robinson, quarterbacks coach (Rams): Interviewed 1/18
  • Greg Roman, former offensive coordinator (Ravens): To interview
  • Shane Waldron, offensive coordinator (Seahawks): Interview requested

Bears’ Jaylon Johnson Seeking To Become Highest-Paid CB

January 17th, 2024 at 2:55pm CST by Sam Robinson

No updates to the cornerback AAV hierarchy came this past offseason. Jaire Alexander‘s $21MM-per-year Packers contract, agreed to in 2022, remains atop the position. Jaylon Johnson wants to change that.

Although Johnson’s trajectory reminds more of Josh Norman‘s in Carolina, with a monster contract year changing the equation, the Bears corner will reenter extension negotiations with a lofty expectation. The four-year Chicago starter believes he deserves to become the NFL’s highest-paid corner.

“Going into the negotiation, I don’t think it’s too much really to talk about. I feel like there’s no reason I can’t be the highest-paid corner in the league,” Johnson said during an interview with Fox Sports’ Keyshawn Johnson (via NBC Sports Chicago’s Josh Schrock). “I feel like that’s what I’m aiming for; that’s what I’m shooting for; that’s what I think can be done and should be done.

The Bears and Johnson were unable to come to terms on an extension before the trade deadline, leading to GM Ryan Poles making the former second-round pick available in trades. Chicago aimed for a first- or second-round pick for the late-blooming defender; that price will probably come up when the sides return to the negotiating table. Still, Johnson’s second-contract aspiration will probably lead to the franchise tag being unholstered.

“I feel like I’ve had a good enough resume from my rookie year until now,” Johnson said. “I feel like really this was just the icing on the cake. I feel like there’s not anything anybody can say. I took the ball away; I got All-Pro; I got Pro Bowl. I mean, what else is there for me to get? I feel like I’m very deserving of the highest paid at the position.

“I’m going to go in and the ball is really in my court. I’m just going to wait for them and come to terms on it and hopefully it’s what I feel I’m deserving of.”

A tag, which would cost Chicago around $18MM, makes more sense than a market-topping extension. While Johnson did earn Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors this season, his resume coming into the seminal contract year does not match up with his 2023 work. Pro Football Focus graded Johnson first overall among corners, and Pro-Football-Reference’s coverage metrics backed that up. After allowing passer ratings (as the closest defender) north of 94 from 2020-22, Johnson checked in with a 50.9 number this season — a four-INT slate. The sudden performance uptick would point to a “prove it” year, should the 24-year-old cover man stick to his guns.

The Bears becoming the first team to use a franchise tag on a corner since the 2017 Rams (Trumaine Johnson) would give them until mid-July to work out an extension. The Panthers tagged Norman in 2016, eventually rescinding the tag and leading him to a record-setting deal with Washington. Although Jaylon Johnson said at multiple points last year he wants to stay in Chicago, he likely will not have a choice. The Bears having the tag as leverage would stand to ensure, barring a tag-and-trade scenario, Johnson would play the 2024 season in the Windy City.

Bears To Interview Panthers’ Thomas Brown For OC Job

January 17th, 2024 at 11:21am CST by Sam Robinson

Multiple NFC offensive coordinators are on the Bears’ radar. Chicago, which dismissed Luke Getsy after two seasons as their play-caller, are looking at the staffs of teams that recently fired their head coaches.

Already eyeing the Seahawks’ Shane Waldron, the Bears are set to interview Panthers OC Thomas Brown. The young assistant will interview for the Bears’ OC job today, The Athletic’s Joe Person reports. Given the makeup of the Bears’ interview list thus far, Matt Eberflus appears interested in adding a Sean McVay tree branch. Both Waldron and Brown were McVay staffers prior to early-2020s relocations.

Brown is not expected to stay with the Panthers. The ex-Rams assistant went through a turbulent year in Carolina, yo-yoing as the team’s play-caller during Frank Reich‘s historically short tenure. Despite the Panthers finishing 2-15, Brown joins DC Ejiro Evero in generating interest elsewhere. While the Panthers are blocking Evero from DC interviews, they look to be standing down when it comes to Brown.

Although the Panthers bottomed out — in a season that has given the Bears the No. 1 overall pick for a second straight year — Brown has received interview requests from the Bears and Titans. Tennessee is interested in meeting with Brown about its HC position. Brown interviewed for the Texans’ HC job last year. Brown, 37, has only been an NFL staffer for four seasons. But the McVay apprenticeship — as Rams running backs and tight ends coach at different points — fast-tracked his career.

Reich gave Brown the play-calling reins during the Panthers’ October bye week but took them back after three games. David Tepper soon fired Reich, handing the call sheet back to Brown. The Panthers attempted to combine Reich concepts with Brown’s, creating a difficult situation for Bryce Young, who struggled through a rough rookie season — one that also included Tepper firing QBs coach Josh McCown. This left Brown as the lead voice in Young’s ear down the stretch. While the Panthers did win a second game during Chris Tabor‘s period as interim HC, they completed a miserable season and are almost certain to make Brown a one-and-done OC.

The Bears are shopping for a new play-caller, doing so as they go through a big-picture research project centered around the likely Justin Fields-or-Caleb Williams decision. OC candidates will certainly be interested to know which quarterback they will be coaching. Ryan Poles indicating it could take until April for that call to be made would stand to throw a wrench into this search process.

NFL Reserve/Futures Deals: 1/16/24

January 16th, 2024 at 9:33pm CST by Ben Levine

Here are today’s reserve/futures contracts:

Chicago Bears

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

Green Bay Packers

Las Vegas Raiders

  • OL Ben Brown, S Tyreque Jones, RB Tyreik McAllister

Los Angeles Rams

Minnesota Vikings

New Orleans Saints

Bears Interview Greg Roman For OC Position

January 16th, 2024 at 10:05am CST by Adam La Rose

The Bears’ search for an offensive coordinator has led to another interview. Chicago spoke with Greg Roman about the position on Monday, per Peter Schrager of NFL Network.

The Bears elected to retain head coach Matt Eberflus, but to little surprise OC Luke Getsy was dismissed at the end of the season. Improvement on the offensive side of the ball will be a clear priority for the team after it showed a significant defensive turnaround in the second half of the campaign. Chicago’s next offensive coordinator – the third in the past four seasons – will be tasked with either developing Justin Fields further or starting fresh with a new quarterback brought in to replace him. The latter route could very well include selecting Caleb Williams first overall after he declared for the draft yesterday.

Roman has experience as a play-caller at the NFL level, and in particular working with mobile quarterbacks. He has held OC positions with the 49ers, Bills and, most recently, Ravens. His Baltimore tenure included back-to-back seasons in 2019 and ’20 in which the team led the league in scoring. The Ravens’ Lamar Jackson-led attack developed a strong reputation for its success on the ground, which falls in line with Roman’s track record. Offenses he has guided have never ranked worse than eighth in the NFL in yardage on the ground.

However, Roman-led units have not matched that success through the air. The Ravens’ 13th-place finish in passing yards in 2021 represents the most productive campaign in terms of passing yards he has overseen in his career. Much of Fields’ success to date has come on the ground, although he did see an uptick in many passing categories in 2023. If the Bears decide to keep the 2021 first-rounder in the fold, an OC with a stronger track record in the passing game would likely represent a more suitable choice. Chicago has yet to make a determination with respect to moving on from Fields (clearing the way for Williams to be drafted) or giving him at least one more season to establish himself as a franchise passer.

Roman, 51, joins Seahawks OC Shane Waldron, 49ers passing game coordinator Klint Kubiak, as well as Kentucky offensive coordinator Liam Coen and Seahawks QBs coach Greg Olson in receiving interest for the Bears’ OC gig. After Roman’s four-year Ravens tenure ended last offseason, he took this past year off from coaching.

Bears Plan To Interview Kentucky’s Liam Coen For OC Job; Team Meets With Seahawks’ Greg Olson

January 13th, 2024 at 8:45pm CST by Ben Levine

8:45pm: Another name can be added to the list of Bears OC targets. Chicago interviewed Seahawks QBs coach Greg Olson yesterday, Michael Silver of the San Francisco Chronicle notes. Olson took his Seattle position last year after a single season with the Rams. The 60-year-old has served as a coordinator with the Lions, Rams, Buccaneers, Jaguars and – in two separate stints – Raiders. He thus profiles as a candidate with considerable experience as Chicago looks for a Getsy replacement.

Olson had not been connected to an OC posting this offseason before the Bears interview, but he has remained on the coordinator radar when holding other roles in the NFL. He interviewed with the Chargers last year before ultimately taking his current Seahawks gig. It will be interesting to see how much interest he gets from other teams in 2024 should more coordinator roles become available.

10:31am: The Bears are looking towards the NCAA to fill their offensive coordinator vacancy. CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones reports that Kentucky offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Liam Coen is expected to interview for Chicago’s OC job.

After spending time in the Northeast college circuit, Coen has bounced between the Rams and Kentucky in recent years. He spent two years as the Rams assistant wide receivers coach before earning the role of assistant quarterbacks coach in 2020. He left to become Kentucky’s offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach in 2021 before returning to Los Angeles to replace Kevin O’Connell as the offensive coordinator.

The Rams offense struggled with Coen at the helm in 2022. The offense finished the season ranked 27th in points and last in yards, although that was partly due to the Rams starting four different players under center.

Coen went back to his previous role at Kentucky for the 2023 campaign and helped guide the offense to several improvements. Kentucky ultimately finished the season ranked 23rd in red zone TD percentage, 40th in yards per play, and 51st in points per drive (h/t to Adam Luckett of KSR).

Chicago is looking for a replacement for Luke Getsy, who was fired earlier this week. 49ers passing game coordinator Klint Kubiak has already emerged as a candidate for the open job.

Coaching Notes: Bears, Harbaugh, Graham

January 11th, 2024 at 8:58pm CST by Ben Levine

We’ve got our first candidate for the open Bears OC job. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Bears are planning to interview 49ers passing game coordinator Klint Kubiak for their vacant offensive coordinator job.

The son of Gary Kubiak, Klint has worked his way up through the coaching ranks over the past few years. After serving as the Vikings quarterbacks coach, he was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2021 following his father’s retirement. He was added to the Broncos staff in 2022 as their passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach, and he eventually took over play-calling duties from head coach Nathaniel Hackett.

He was hired as the 49ers passing game coordinator last offseason, and since San Francisco isn’t rolling with a traditional OC, Kubiak has full control over the passing offense. Brock Purdy has had a standout season during his second season under center, and each of Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, and George Kittle finished with at least 800 receiving yards and six touchdowns.

The Bears moved on from two-year offensive coordinator Luke Getsy earlier this week. Quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko, wide receivers coach Tyke Tolbert, and running backs coach Omar Young were also let go. When asked about the status of offensive line coach Chris Morgan, Bears coach Matt Eberflus told reporters that the team’s new OC will be allowed to choose their own staff (via ESPN’s Courtney Cronin).

More coaching notes from around the NFL…

  • A number of teams have been connected to Bill Belichick, including the Commanders. However, the organization doesn’t plan to pursue the iconic head coach, according to Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz. We heard earlier today that the Commanders weren’t expected to have interest in Belichick, although it wasn’t a definitive denial. The team isn’t shying away from big names, however. Fowler writes that we should not “totally discount” Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh for the open job in Washington.
  • While Patrick Graham is allowed to take head coaching interviews, the Raiders defensive coordinator won’t be allowed to pursue a lateral move. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Raiders blocked an unknown team’s request to interview Graham for their DC vacancy. Of course, this doesn’t necessarily mean Graham will end up sticking around Las Vegas next season. Per Rapoport, the Raiders next head coach will be allowed to choose who to retain from the existing staff. Graham spent the past two seasons as the Raiders DC, with his unit finishing the 2023 season ninth in points allowed.
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