Matt Eberflus standing by Bears offensive coordinator Shane Waldron amidst rough stretch
Bears head coach Matt Eberflus is standing by offensive coordinator Shane Waldron amid the second major offensive slump in just eight games. The most recent played a significant role in the Bears’ current two-game losing streak and prompted questions about whether Eberflus would take play-calling duties from Waldron.
Eberflus’ answer was straightforward and unwavering.
“No,” he said in a Monday press conference. “We’re looking to find answers, and that’s where we’re at collectively as a group, offense and defense, and we’ll go through that process here today, tomorrow and implement that plan on Wednesday.”
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The Bears must find ways to improve an offense that has struggled overall despite some games of high production.
Despite those positive moments, the Bears ranking 28th in rushing yards per attempt, 26th in passing yards per attempt and 30th in yards per play heading into Monday Night Football. They’re 31st in third-down conversion percentage and 23rd in first-half scoring per game.
Those numbers don’t match perceived potential for an offense that features a No. 1 overall pick in quarterback Caleb Williams, running back D’Andre Swift, tight end Cole Kmet and receivers DJ Moore, Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze.
Eberflus said making changes at play caller won’t be the course his Bears take trying to get on the right track.
“The changes we’re going to make is we’re going to look inward and make sure we do a good job of utilizing our talents and our skill and really just general, basic execution of our plan,” he said. “And we have to make sure we’re doing that going forward, and we’ll put that plan into place here in the next 48 hours.”
Eberflus focused on avoiding negative plays and using all parts of their scheme to find production, in addition to playing at various tempos to keep an opponent off balance.
Eberflus was also asked about his confidence in Waldron, a play caller he and the Bears hired last offseason, through eight games.
“The confidence is high,” Eberflus said. “…we’ve won some and we’ve lost some. We’re sitting at 4-4. Right now, that’s where we are and it’s important that we focus on this week. That’s all we can control and doing a better job of putting our guys in position as coaches to be successful and that’s ultimately my job and the coordinator’s job secondly. So, it’s important that we do a great job of that with the position coaches, partnering up with players and putting those guys in position to succeed.”
Odunze also spoke on Waldron during a Monday virtual press conference, and he spoke highly of Waldon and the work he has done.
“I think Shane is doing a great job,” Odunze said. “I think he is consistently working his tail off to put us in the right positions. And it’s a tough position to be in as an offensive coordinator. There’s a lot of different aspects you have to think about. I know, through his work ethic, he’s putting us in the situations and the best circumstances to have success. So, you know, I have full confidence in Shane and what he’s able to do. We just all need to come together and buy into that plan and buy into that belief in one other from coaches, players, players to coaches, coaches to players to have that success.”