This is who you get when you aren't looking for a HC. There are hiring restrictions on assistant coaches.
Just for posters who don't obsess like I do over team building, this is the major restriction:
Teams can not hire assistant coaches for positions that the NFL determines are a "lateral move."
So the Bears are stuck looking at:
(1) former OCs not currently employed by a team (2) assistants working in positions that are not considered lateral to an OC position (3) college coaches (4) OCs like Waldron that are under contract but given permission by the team to find another position. Often the HC has been fired and its just a matter of time until the assistant coaches are let go as well.
People bring up Eric Bieniemy who moved from KC to WFT, but his contract was up and KC didn't resign him. It wasn't a lateral move, Bieniemy was a coaching FA so to speak. Ben Johnson is not an option because it would be a lateral move from OC to OC.
This is one of my issues with keeping Flus.
Aren't there ways around that though, by hiring a guy as OC/Asst. HC? I believe it's been done before and considered a promotion since they take on some HC responsibilities. Actually, if they draft a QB, maybe this is the way to go anyways. If the team plays similar next year as they did this year, fire Flus, promote the OC/Asst. HC, and he can ride out the rest of the rookie QB contract. If that doesn't work, we can finally reset with a new HC paired with a new QB and stop this ugly cycle.
Or.....they could have just done all that YESTERDAY
It's amazing how this organization constantly tries to reinvent the wheel.
This is who you get when you aren't looking for a HC. There are hiring restrictions on assistant coaches.
Just for posters who don't obsess like I do over team building, this is the major restriction:
Teams can not hire assistant coaches for positions that the NFL determines are a "lateral move."
So the Bears are stuck looking at:
(1) former OCs not currently employed by a team (2) assistants working in positions that are not considered lateral to an OC position (3) college coaches (4) OCs like Waldron that are under contract but given permission by the team to find another position. Often the HC has been fired and its just a matter of time until the assistant coaches are let go as well.
People bring up Eric Bieniemy who moved from KC to WFT, but his contract was up and KC didn't resign him. It wasn't a lateral move, Bieniemy was a coaching FA so to speak. Ben Johnson is not an option because it would be a lateral move from OC to OC.
This is one of my issues with keeping Flus.
Aren't there ways around that though, by hiring a guy as OC/Asst. HC? I believe it's been done before and considered a promotion since they take on some HC responsibilities. Actually, if they draft a QB, maybe this is the way to go anyways. If the team plays similar next year as they did this year, fire Flus, promote the OC/Asst. HC, and he can ride out the rest of the rookie QB contract. If that doesn't work, we can finally reset with a new HC paired with a new QB and stop this ugly cycle.
Yes there is that exception but I couldn't find the rule written out anywhere. I know the league cracked down at some point on the wording of assistant coaches titles so a team couldn't have every assistant also be an Asst.HC. I should have mentioned that.
"Chicago has requested an interview with Seahawks offensive coordinator Shane Waldron for their offensive coordinator job, Tom Pelissero of NFL Media reports.
Seattle’s coaching staff was told they were free to look elsewhere for jobs, according to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports."
Sounds like cream of da crop
We will search high and low and leave no stone unturned.... Even the ones best left unturned
Be interesting to see who they hire cuz will give a confirmatory clue where they are going at QB.
I'm overwhelming convinced its gonna be Caleb and if they end up hiring an OC who does NOT run a heavily-vertical passing attack, then you know for sure Justin is on the trading block. We already know what types of systems Fields isn't gonna be able to run well.
Comes from the McVay tree, highly thought of around the league.
It sounds like the Bears are getting a LOT of interest in the open OC spot. It's reported that they are trying to do their due diligence and get a short list of the best. I am really excited about seeing a new OC - someone with an exciting offense who can make use of the weapons that will be drafted/signed now in 2024. Bears have the resources to get some incredible pieces now. 2023 was all about quantity signings, and now we get to watch a few game changers added like Marvin Harrison Jr.
It is a GREAT time to be a Bears fan. At least it is for me. Arrow is pointing up.
"Chicago has requested an interview with Seahawks offensive coordinator Shane Waldron for their offensive coordinator job, Tom Pelissero of NFL Media reports.
Seattle’s coaching staff was told they were free to look elsewhere for jobs, according to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports."
Waldron would be a good fit for the Bears. If we draft Harrison, we’ll have two good WRs in a run-oriented offense. That’s what the Seahawks have.
"Chicago has requested an interview with Seahawks offensive coordinator Shane Waldron for their offensive coordinator job, Tom Pelissero of NFL Media reports.
Seattle’s coaching staff was told they were free to look elsewhere for jobs, according to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports."
Waldron would be a good fit for the Bears. If we draft Harrison, we’ll have two good WRs in a run-oriented offense. That’s what the Seahawks have.
Isn't Waldron the guy who turned Geno into a solid passer?
I know GS's passer ratings last 2 seasons, esp 2022, were far better than his career averages up to that point.