It seems that Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Shane Waldron is using the first few weeks of the 2024 season to assess the personnel he has at his disposal.
That is the only real reason to explain some of the playing time decisions we have seen from the Bears on offense through the first two weeks of the season. Waldron, to his credit, has already shown an ability to adapt. After Gerald Everett was inexplicably the featured tight end in the Bears' Week 1 victory over the Tennessee Titans, Cole Kmet returned to that role for Week 2 against the Houston Texans.
It was an important first step for Waldron. The Bears' offense hasn't been functional through the first two weeks of the season but his awareness to get Kmet more reps in Week 2 is a sign that he won't be stubborn in his approach.
That will be tested on Sunday when the Bears face the Indianapolis Colts.
Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson could be factors in Week 3.
Another questionable personnel choice from Waldron has been using Travis Homer as the primary compliment at the running back position to D'Andre Swift. Homer has been the primary third-down running back for the Bears this season and on the surface, it makes sense given Khalil Herbert's struggles in pass protection. But the fact that Khalil Herbert only has four rush attempts through the first two games of the season is something that feels like Waldron not realizing the value of the players he has on his roster.
On Friday, Homer was placed on injured reserve due to a finger injury. With Homer sideline for at least the next four weeks, this gives Waldron an opportunity to unlock the running game. Nothing against Homer and the value he brings to the Bears but that value is primarily as a special teams' player. With Herbert and Roschon Johnson on the roster, there isn't a scenario where Homer should be getting more offensive snaps at running back than either of those two.
Even before Homer's injury, the Colts' game served as an opportunity for Waldron to get more snaps for Herbert and Johnson. Now, with Homer sidelined, it's even more reason for Waldron to make another shift in his initial approach with the Bears' offense.