LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Three games into his tenure with the Chicago Bears, offensive coordinator Shane Waldron is calling the shots after a 21-16 loss to the Indianapolis Colts raised concerns about the state of the offense. I met with the Leadership Council.
After the meeting, Waldron praised the honesty, feedback and feedback from quarterback Caleb Williams, tight end Cole Kmet, wide receiver DJ Moore and tight end Marcedes Lewis — all four of whom are captains. He praised his dedication to solving problems within the unit. He is averaging a league-worst 3.7 yards per play.
Lewis, a 19-year veteran who will set an NFL record for most games played by a tight end on Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams (1 p.m. ET, Fox), had a strong and direct message to the Bears’ play-caller. I told you.
“From the oldest guy in the room, which is me, to the youngest guy. [22-year-old Williams]“Don’t think you can’t coach us,” Lewis said. I want to be great. …This is not a game. This is our job. we understand that. This is a stressful, production-based business where everyone has to do the same thing or everyone gets fired. Ego must be left at the door. He’s very receptive to that.
“Sometimes when coaches come in, you might be walking on eggshells. I kind of laid it to rest. Nobody here is sensitive. We win games as bad as you do. It’s a collaborative effort. It’s not pop.” Warner said. ”
Waldron was responsible for the specifics of the loss to the Colts and throughout a 1-2 start in which he scored three offensive touchdowns, tied for worst in the league among four teams.
Almost immediately, the offensive coordinator mentioned Chicago’s unlucky goal-line series against the Colts, which had four straight runs inside the 4-yard line that ended in turnovers on downs.
“We’ve got to be better in that situation and we’re going to move forward,” Waldron said.
The team took too long to line up to the pistol on a speedy option play on fourth-and-goal, resulting in a turnover on downs. Waldron said it starts with him.
The Bears’ run game struggles continue to grow. Chicago ranks 31st with 72.7 yards per game and 3.03 yards per attempt. Only the Las Vegas Raiders (51 YPG and 2.8 YPA) are worse in both categories.
Waldron said Chicago’s plan going into the game against the Colts is to use running back Khalil Herbert (5-foot-9, 212 pounds) to outpace Roshon Johnson (6-0, 225 pounds) in the team’s short yards. He revealed that it would be.
But the key to the running game has always been Pro Bowl player D’Andre Swift. Within minutes of the NFL opening the negotiating window during free agency in March, the Bears made the biggest splash by acquiring Swift and signing him to a three-year, $24 million contract.
“We wanted a home run threat, a weapon that could do a lot in the passing game as well as first downs in the running game where he could hit home runs,” coach Matt Eberflus said. Ahead of week 1.
Chicago led the league in rushing in 2022 and finished second last season, but that’s due in no small part to quarterback Justin Fields, who scored 1,143 points in 2022 and 657 points last year. listed. However, the Bears traded Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers to make room for Williams, and the signing of Swift signaled a change in philosophy on how the Bears create a rushing offense.
Chicago expects big contributions from him in the passing game, and just three years ago in Detroit, he finished in the top five among running backs in catches (62 yards) and receiving yards (452 yards). was.
Through three games, Swift has totaled 68 yards rushing on 37 attempts, giving him 1.8 yards per carry. In the passing game, he had 10 targets and had six catches for 46 yards.
Swift was dropped for a 12-yard loss on a speed option play for his fourth goal in Indianapolis. He then apologized to the defense on behalf of himself and the attackers.
“He’s not completely happy about not getting more yards, but he’s not going to pout about it,” Bears running backs coach Chad Morton said. “He’s not going to get angry or let his mood affect other people.
“He’s a professional. He’s going to keep working and pushing the limits to get better. I’m not worried about him at all.”
Eberflus said Bears coaches met with Swift earlier in the week to discuss how he could improve. He also hinted that Chicago will experiment with different personnel in the run game.
“The plan has to be appropriate for that particular runner,” Eberflus says. “I think it’s everyone. It’s not just him.”
One fix for the run game against the Rams could be more snaps for Johnson, who had a team-high 30 rushing yards in Indianapolis. Johnson had three third-down conversions against the Colts and a key fourth-and-1 conversion to clinch the goal-line series.
“I think I bring not only a physical style, but also a style that allows me to make one or two mistakes in a subtle way,” Johnson said. “Nothing too flashy, but someone who is really physical and downhill and can make the right decisions.”
Against a Rams defense that ranks 32nd in yards allowed and 31st in points, the opportunity for Waldron and the Bears to properly utilize the team’s running backs could lead to a breakthrough offense at a critical time.
“There was a flash,” Waldron said. “We’ve done a great job in practice, we’ve done a great job in the preseason, but the reality is that we’re not performing up to our standards in games at the moment. For us, it goes back to the beginning. have repeatedly explained these basics and techniques.
“The players have done a great job, often saying they are fully aware of their roles and responsibilities in each play.We have to continue to grow each week, especially in the run. You have to keep improving in your game.”
