In a previous article, I shared how the Chicago Bears fans need to relax about the offensive line situation. I wanted to talk more about Shane Waldron. But it was getting a bit long. Waldron shouldn't be viewed as a typical run-of-the-mill offensive coordinator. Pro Football Focus has him ranked as the 6th best, while the 33rd team has him 20th. I didn't want to be biased, so I posted both outlets. But both praised him for working with an often injured and talentless offensive line **cough cough** and his ability to adapt.
Both programs did mention that he doesn't run the ball enough but utilizes his running backs and tight ends more than anybody else in the blocking and receiving game. And you thought D'Andre Swift was by happenstance. Waldron led the NFL by a long shot in formations in empty. Try not to mistake empty for five-wide. Waldron used a combination of tight ends and running backs to get to those formations. It makes a little more sense of why Jaxon Smith-Njigba was upset.
Shane Waldron will be Caleb Williams' best friend.
By motioning the running backs and tight ends out of heavy formations, Waldron created a Caleb Williams-like offense with different personnel. The quick game will aid the offensive line. Every team does it. But even with an offensive line as banged up as the Chicago Bears, they were still better the last two seasons than the Seahawks line. Waldron won't just spread out the offense like USC, but he will ask Caleb to pretend he is Jay Cutler from time to time and drop deep in the pocket.
That's correct; the Seahawks also were tops in 5-7 step drops, according to Bootleggers Podcast. What kind of offense runs that type of offense with a poor offensive line? Well, lots of them. Most of us have seen the booming DK Metcalf offense and the Brandon Marshall offense. Get the weapons, the ball. That is exactly what Caleb Williams and Shane Waldron plan to do this season.