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Ex-Bears offensive coordinator Shane Waldron and quarterback Caleb Williams.
When the Chicago Bears drafted quarterback Caleb Williams with the first overall pick in 2024, the expectation was that the Heisman winner would become the franchise’s long-awaited quarterback savior. Yet, beneath the excitement, Williams carried significant reservations about stepping into the Bears’ system — reservations that were tied directly to then-offensive coordinator Shane Waldron.
Why Shane Waldron’s Tenure Left Caleb Williams Uneasy in Chicago
According to reporting from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Turron Davenport, Williams’ fact-finding mission before the draft raised red flags about Waldron’s coaching style and fit. His father, Carl Williams, made his skepticism clear, even telling ESPN’s Seth Wickersham that “Chicago is the place quarterbacks go to die.”
That belief wasn’t just rooted in the franchise’s history of quarterback struggles, but in how Williams perceived Waldron’s ability to handle his development.
Fowler and Davenport noted that, “Among chief concerns, the source said, were whether personalities would jell and how Waldron would use him.”
That source with direct knowledge of Williams’ predraft process also revealed that his team “soured” him on Waldron, who didn’t get the best reviews from his time in Seattle.
Waldron declined to comment on this.
For a young quarterback entering the NFL, trust in the coaching staff is critical. Williams, who came from a shotgun-heavy offense under Lincoln Riley at USC, needed a clear, structured development plan. Instead, Chicago projected a “we’ll figure it out” approach, leaning on Waldron’s run-first approach. For Williams, that lack of alignment created doubts before he even wore a Bears jersey.
Regardless, he was ready for what was ahead, saying, “I can do it for this team. I’m going to go to the Bears.”
Waldron’s Fit Exposed the Bears’ Lack of Support for Williams
Caleb Williams’ rookie year quickly confirmed his early fears. His transition in Shane Waldron’s offense was bumpy. He struggled with the basics, like delivering quick completions over the middle, getting in and out of the huddle, and operating within the timing of the system. And despite all that, he still threw for 3,541 yards, 20 touchdowns, and only six interceptions.
ESPN’s reporting detailed how Williams often had to watch film alone, without the kind of direct coaching input most young quarterbacks receive. That lack of guidance not only frustrated him but also highlighted an organizational flaw. Plus, there was no veteran signal-caller on the roster to mentor him, which made things even worse.
The situation spiraled as Waldron and ex-head coach Matt Eberflus struggled to provide a united, hands-on development plan. “This was not going to go well with the OC, and I think they realized that early,” one AFC executive told ESPN. The mismatch between Williams’ improvisational style and Waldron’s scheme created tension that neither side could resolve.
Ultimately, Eberflus fired Waldron just 17 days before the Bears dismissed Eberflus. General manager Ryan Poles acknowledged the missteps, contrasting Waldron’s approach with that of new head coach Ben Johnson, who has since been described as “relentless” in fine-tuning Williams’ fundamentals.
“Before it was a little bit more, ‘How can we just bridge him to this first year?” Poles said. “This [season] is like, ‘We have to set your foundation, and you don’t really have a choice.’ It’s tough love, and I think he was looking for that.”
Looking back, Williams’ initial hesitation about Waldron was valid. His rookie season became a cautionary tale of just how critical the quarterback-coach relationship is in the NFL. No matter the talent of the player, mismatched philosophies and a lack of support can derail development. For Williams, escaping that dynamic and moving forward under Johnson appears to be the chance for him to thrive.
Isaac Zuniga is a sports reporter covering the NFL for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Chicago Bears, Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Chargers, and Las Vegas Raiders. He also covers the Chicago Bears for LastWordOnSports.com. More about Isaac Zuniga
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