Bears' Caleb Williams Reportedly 'Soured' on Shane Waldron Before 2024 NFL Draft

If first impressions are everything, Shane Waldron was doomed to fail as offensive coordinator of the Chicago Bears.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler and Turron Davenport reported that quarterback Caleb Williams performed some due diligence about the Bears leading up to the 2024 NFL draft. What he discovered during that process "soured him on Waldron."

"Among chief concerns, the source said, were whether personalities would jell and how Waldron would use him," the report said.

From there, Waldron and Bears coach Matt Eberflus did little to ease the reservations Williams and his family had about landing with the Bears.

"As one team source put it, the staff projected the feeling of, 'We will figure it out, he's a rookie,' whereas more direct tutelage on the basics of quarterback play was needed," Fowler and Davenport wrote. "It's also notable that the Bears did not have another veteran on the roster for Williams to lean on, which multiple sources found problematic."

Waldron barely made it past the halfway point of 2024 before he got the boot. Chicago fired him in mid-November after a 4-5 start. Eberflus was out of a job a few weeks later.

Williams ultimately had a solid rookie season, and Waldron's exit coincided with an uptick in his performance. Over his final eight starts, he threw for 1,756 yards and 11 touchdowns to one interception.

General manager Ryan Poles clearly made the 2024 No. 1 overall pick's development a priority this offseason.

The Bears hired Ben Johnson, who had the Detroit Lions finish in the top five in yards and points in his three years as an offensive coordinator. The interior of the offensive line was rebuilt with the additions of Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman and Jonah Jackson. Tight end Colston Loveland and wide receiver Luther Burden III added depth to the aerial attack.

If things don't click for Williams in 2025, then it is worth asking whether the Bears are simply cursed to never develop a franchise quarterback again.