50 Facts About Shane Waldron

Early Career and Beginnings

Shane Waldron's journey in football began long before he became a household name in the NFL. His early experiences laid the foundation for his future success.

1. Shane Waldron played college football at Tufts University, where he likely honed his skills and developed a passion for the game.
2. After college, Waldron secured an internship with the New England Patriots, which would have been a valuable learning experience in one of the most successful franchises in NFL history.

Climbing the Coaching Ladder

Waldron's career path is marked by a series of prestigious coaching positions, each contributing to his development as a top-tier offensive coordinator.

3. Waldron's career path has been marked by a series of prestigious coaching positions, including stints with Bill Belichick, Mike Shanahan, Sean McVay, and Pete Carroll.
4. Waldron has extensive experience in play-calling, having worked with various quarterbacks including Kirk Cousins, Jared Goff, Russell Wilson, and Geno Smith.

Success with the Seattle Seahawks

Waldron's tenure with the Seattle Seahawks showcased his ability to adapt and innovate, making a significant impact on the team's offense.

5. Waldron spent three years as the offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks, where he helped transform Geno Smith into a top-tier quarterback.
6. Under Waldron's guidance, Geno Smith threw for 4,282 yards in 2022 and 3,624 yards in 2023, making him one of the top quarterbacks in Bears history.
7. Waldron has demonstrated the ability to adapt his play-calling to different personnel groups. For example, when Seattle had more quality wide receivers in 2023, he increased the number of passing plays.

Offensive Strategies and Trends

Waldron's offensive strategies are known for their creativity and adaptability, often setting trends in the NFL.

8. Waldron's offenses often utilized 12 personnel (two tight ends and two wide receivers) more frequently than the league average. This trend is expected to continue in Chicago with the addition of Gerald Everett.
9. Despite a high rate of passing, Seattle under Waldron passed less out of 12 personnel in 2023 compared to 2022, indicating a strategic approach to play-calling.
10. Seattle generally ran the ball inside the tackles at above-average rates, which contrasts with Chicago's preference for running outside the tackles.
11. Waldron's offenses have shown a high rate of deep passes on 1st down, particularly in 2021 and 2023. This strategy might be adjusted with Caleb Williams, who is known for his deep throws.

Early Down Success and Efficiency

Waldron's play-calling on early downs has been highly successful, contributing to the overall efficiency of his offenses.

12. Waldron's play-calling on early downs has been highly successful, with Seattle ranking fourth in EPA per play and fifth in success rate during his tenure.
13. Waldron's dropback efficiency is also noteworthy, with Seattle ranking second in dropback EPA and fifth in dropback success rate in 2023.
14. The Seahawks under Waldron were fifth in yards per play (5.5) and had an explosive pass rate of 14 percent, ranking ninth in the NFL.

Creative Schematics and Adaptation

Waldron is praised for his creative schematics, which help mask weaknesses in the offense and keep defenses guessing.

15. Waldron is praised for his creative schematics, which help mask weaknesses in the offense. This was particularly evident when Seattle's offensive line struggled.
16. Like other top play-callers, Waldron has faced criticism for his play-calling decisions. However, he has shown an ability to adjust and improve over time.
17. Waldron's offenses have consistently ranked among the top in the NFL. For example, in 2021-2023, Seattle's offense trailed only a few elite teams in EPA per play.

Quarterback Development

Waldron has a proven track record of developing quarterbacks, making him a valuable asset for any team.

18. Waldron has a proven track record of developing quarterbacks. He helped Geno Smith become one of the top quarterbacks in the league, and he is expected to do the same with Justin Fields or Caleb Williams.
19. Waldron's innovative approach to play-calling involves keeping defenses on their heels. This strategy allows him to get the most out of his players, even when they are not at their best.

Criticism and Areas for Improvement

Despite his success, Waldron has faced criticism for certain aspects of his play-calling, highlighting areas for potential improvement.

20. While Waldron is known for his creativity, he has also been criticized for being too conservative at times. This was evident in the 2023 season where there were more 2nd-and-long runs and screens.
21. Waldron's red-zone efficiency has been a point of contention. The Seahawks under his guidance had one of the lowest red-zone efficiencies in the league in 2023.
22. The third-down offense under Waldron was also criticized. Seattle struggled with converting third downs, ranking near the bottom of the league in 2023.

Emphasis on Player Execution

Waldron believes that effective play-calling relies heavily on player execution, emphasizing the importance of teamwork.

23. Waldron emphasizes that players need to execute his play calls effectively. He believes that blaming play-calling without considering player execution is ignorant.
24. Waldron has a knack for drawing up great game plans and play designs. However, he occasionally makes boneheaded decisions, which is a common trait among play-callers.

Offensive Identity and Personnel Groupings

Waldron's use of personnel groupings and his approach to establishing an offensive identity have been key aspects of his coaching style.

25. The Seahawks under Waldron often lacked an offensive identity, which was a point of frustration for head coach Pete Carroll. This lack of identity was partly due to Waldron's conservative play-calling at times.
26. Waldron's use of personnel groupings is strategic. He prefers to use 12 personnel more frequently but adjusts based on the available talent. For example, he passed less out of 12 personnel in 2023 compared to 2022.
27. Seattle under Waldron did not use a fullback on the roster, opting instead for a third tight end. This trend is expected to continue in Chicago, where the Bears have a fullback but may not use him frequently.
28. Waldron's preference for 3 TE sets is notable. Seattle ran these sets about 12% of the time, which is roughly three times the NFL average. This strategy could be adapted in Chicago with Gerald Everett.

Formation and Play-Calling Trends

Waldron's formation and play-calling trends reveal his strategic approach to maximizing offensive efficiency.

29. Waldron's offenses often used empty sets on early downs, which is appreciably higher than the NFL average. This trend is expected to continue in Chicago, where the Bears might see more empty sets on early downs.
30. Despite being one of the most common alignments in the NFL, Waldron's offenses used 2×2 sets less frequently than most teams. However, he did pass at around NFL average rates out of these sets.
31. Waldron's play-calling trends show a mix of consistency and adaptation. For example, Seattle's high rate of deep passes on 1st down was consistent across seasons but might be adjusted with Caleb Williams.
32. Waldron's preference for passing on early downs is evident. Seattle passed at average to above-average rates in most down and distance situations, which contrasts with Chicago's run-heavy approach in 2023.
33. When Seattle ran on 1st down, they generally ran inside the tackles at above-average rates, which is different from Chicago's preference for running outside the tackles.

Player Fit and Adaptation

Waldron's ability to fit players into his system and adapt his strategies based on their strengths is crucial for his success.

34. The fit of players like D’Andre Swift and Khalil Herbert in Waldron's approach is a concern. Both have been better running outside the tackles than inside in their careers.
35. The Chicago Bears' offense under Waldron will likely see a mix of passing and running plays. The team's run-heavy approach in 2023 might be adjusted to include more passing plays, especially early in the season.
36. With Caleb Williams, who is known for his deep throws, Waldron might limit early deep shots and emphasize quick passes to help the quarterback acclimate to the NFL.

Future Prospects with the Chicago Bears

Waldron's move to the Chicago Bears brings high expectations for the team's offensive performance, given his track record and innovative approach.

37. Waldron's innovative schematics involve keeping defenses guessing. This approach allows him to get the most out of his players and mask weaknesses in the offense.
38. Waldron's offenses have consistently ranked high in EPA per play. For example, in 2021-2023, Seattle's offense trailed only a few elite teams in this metric.
39. Waldron's success rate on early downs is also impressive. Seattle ranked fifth in success rate during his tenure, indicating that his play-calling was effective in converting first downs.
40. The dropback efficiency of Waldron's offenses is noteworthy. Seattle ranked second in dropback EPA and fifth in dropback success rate in 2023, showing that his play-calling was effective even when the quarterback had to drop back.
41. Waldron's ability to dial up explosive plays is a significant asset. The Seahawks under his guidance had an explosive pass rate of 14 percent and an explosive run rate of 14.5 percent, ranking ninth and fifth in the NFL, respectively.
42. Waldron's offenses have consistently ranked high in yards per play. For example, in 2021-2023, Seattle averaged 5.5 yards per play, which is fifth in the NFL.
43. Waldron's ability to develop quarterbacks is crucial. He helped Geno Smith become one of the top quarterbacks in the league, and he is expected to do the same with Justin Fields or Caleb Williams.
44. Waldron's adaptability is key to his success. He adjusts his play-calling based on the available talent and game situation, which is evident in his use of different personnel groupings and formations.
45. Like other top play-callers, Waldron faces criticism for his decisions. However, he has shown an ability to improve and adjust over time, which is essential for long-term success.
46. Waldron's offenses have consistently ranked among the top in the NFL. For example, in 2021-2023, Seattle's offense trailed only a few elite teams in EPA per play and yards per play.
47. Waldron's innovative approach to play-calling involves keeping defenses guessing. This strategy allows him to get the most out of his players and mask weaknesses in the offense.
48. Waldron emphasizes that players need to execute his play calls effectively. He believes that blaming play-calling without considering player execution is ignorant.
49. Waldron has a knack for drawing up great game plans and play designs. However, he occasionally makes boneheaded decisions, which is a common trait among play-callers.
50. With his proven track record and adaptable approach, Shane Waldron is poised to make a significant impact on the Chicago Bears' offense. His ability to develop quarterbacks and create explosive plays makes him an elite play-caller in the NFL.

Shane Waldron's Impact on the Bears

Shane Waldron's arrival as the Chicago Bears' offensive coordinator promises a fresh, dynamic approach. His track record with the Seattle Seahawks, where he transformed Geno Smith into a top-tier quarterback, speaks volumes. Waldron's knack for adapting play-calling to fit his personnel, like his preference for 12 personnel and creative schematics, will be crucial for the Bears. Expect more deep passes, innovative formations, and a balanced mix of run and pass plays.

His ability to develop quarterbacks, seen with Smith and potentially with Caleb Williams, could be a game-changer for Chicago. While he's faced criticism for conservative play-calling and red-zone efficiency, his overall success and adaptability make him a valuable asset. With Waldron at the helm, the Bears' offense is set for an exciting transformation, aiming to climb the ranks and become a formidable force in the NFL.