The Chicago Bears have completed sweeping changes to the coaching staff under head coach Matt Eberflus, announcing the appointment of Shane Waldron as the new offensive coordinator and Eric Washington as the new defensive coordinator.
Eberflus expressed his excitement about the new additions, emphasizing their expertise and potential impact on the team’s performance. “We couldn’t be more thrilled to have Shane and Eric on board,” Eberflus remarked. “Their wealth of experience and strategic vision align perfectly with our goals for the future.”
Shane Waldron brings a wealth of knowledge and innovation to the Bears’ offensive playbook. Waldron honed his craft under the tutelage of Sean McVay with the Los Angeles Rams, serving as the passing game coordinator. He played a pivotal role in the Rams’ explosive offense, contributing to their Super Bowl appearance in 2019. Waldron’s journey also includes stints with the Washington Football Team and the New England Patriots, where he learned from some of the finest minds in football. His college football career saw him excel as a quarterback and wide receiver at Tufts University. His most recent stop was in Seattle where he served as offensive coordinator under Pete Carroll and worked with Russell Wilson and Geno Smith.
Commenting on his new role, Waldron expressed eagerness to collaborate with the Bears’ offensive unit. “I’m honored to join the Chicago Bears organization,” Waldron said. “My aim is to cultivate a dynamic offense that keeps defenses guessing and maximizes our team’s potential.”
Waldron had many suitors. He commented on attractiveness of coming to a team with a number one pick in the draft. “Having a unique scenario like this to get a chance to be a part of an organization as storied as this. It just felt very comfortable, very quickly in the interview process. Having that piece of the draft puzzle where you get a chance to evaluate so many players around the college game made it so appealing.”
Eric Washington brings a wealth of defensive acumen and leadership to the Bears’ coaching staff. With an illustrious coaching career spanning over two decades, Washington has garnered praise for his ability to develop talent and devise strategic defensive schemes. He rose through the ranks with the Carolina Panthers, serving as the team’s defensive line coach before ascending to the role of defensive coordinator. Under his guidance, the Panthers’ defense consistently ranked among the league’s best, showcasing Washington’s knack for maximizing player potential. He also worked with the Buffalo Bills as defensive line coach. Washington began his pro coaching career as a defensive assistant with the Bears in 2008.
“I’m excited to join the Chicago Bears and work with this talented group of players,” Washington stated. “Our aim is to establish a dominant defense that imposes its will on the field and contributes to our team’s success.”
Eberflus will still be calling plays but when asked about the future, Washington said, “The conversations were extensive and comprehensive and we touched on a lot of things. Matt’s aware of my background in terms of calling defenses. What we talked about more than anything was just, how do we put forth the best scenario for 2024 to make sure our defense is going in the right direction. Matt Eberflus is an outstanding play caller and we saw the that effect that that had on our team, especially last year going down the stretch. We want to continue that.” Washington is expected to participate in the planning process and contribute on game day.
The hiring of Waldron and Washington underscores the Bears’ commitment to excellence and signals a new era of competitiveness for the franchise. With their wealth of experience and strategic prowess, these two coaches are poised to make a significant impact on the team’s performance. As anticipation mounts and preparations intensify, Bears fans can look forward to an exhilarating journey ahead, filled with promise and potential.
