How Bears Coordinator Candidates Rate

The report about the Bears interviewing Greg Roman for offensive coordinator seemed to elicit more responses on social media than any others.

Roman was a divisive presence for players and fans with the Ravens because, on one hand Lamar Jackson achieved MVP under him with 36 TD passes but then the passing game failed and wide receivers felt they were an afterthought.

Regardless, Roman has been successful in at least two spots with mobile passers and it's a thought.

When Matt Eberflus spoke about why they moved on from Luke Getsy, his emphasis seemed to be on improving the passing game with a new coordinator.

"Yeah, just the growth and development of the offense to me needed to be better than what it was," he said. "To me, you look at the passing game, certainly that's one aspect of it, and that's where it is. We've decided to move on from (Getsy)."

Getsy's offense was No. 2 and No. 1 in rushing, but not a consistent passing threat.

There are a few solid candidates, a niche candidate but they need to keep talking to people who come available from playoff teams.

The one good thing about the search is it is pointing at some successful offensive systems and it also includes a coach who has succeeded with a running quarterback, in case they get totally floored by some team totally desperate for a QB that offers something incredible for the first pick. They could keep Justin Fields then and move down. The trouble is, they're going to need to find the offensive coordinator before they know what they can get for a trade down.

A Mike Ditka style trade for Ricky Williams or a Vikings trade for Herschel Walker style of trade might be too much to pass up.

Even something close to last year's deal would be good but with a large group of top quarterbacks available in the draft and some in free agency this year, it's possible the top QB might not have as much value than in some other years.

Here's one man's ranking of the reported candidates for Bears offensive coordinator based on some of the job requirements put forth by Matt Eberflus at the postseason press conference.

1. Shane Waldron

Plenty of Seattle fans seem to dislike what he did in three seasons and with QBs Russell Wilson, Geno Smith and even Drew Lock. However, Seahawks fans might be spoiled from years of being in the playoffs and taking offense for granted. Waldron improved the passing offense from 23rd his first year to 11th his second year when he resurrected Geno Smith's career. They were in the top 13 or better in fewest interceptions every year he was OC. Being an OC for three seasons with any team that didn't win the Super Bowl is unusual in today's NFL. He has worked in the Rams offense and knows the secrets of scheming receivers wide open with motion. The Bears seemed unable to do this under Luke Getsy. Also, the Rams used the wide zone blocking scheme and the Bears use it, as well. The main reason he would seem the best fit is what Eberflus said he is looking for in his next coordinator.

2. Klint Kubiak

As a passing game coordinator with the 49ers and former play caller for the Minnesota Vikings, Kubiak has a good idea how to marry up a strong running attack in the wide zone scheme with an effective passing game. The 49ers were third in rushing, fourth in passing and are in the top NFC seed position because they have offensive balance and an ability to scheme players open.

3. Greg Roman

If the guarantee was Justin Fields returning, then Roman would be No. 1 on this list. His work with both Alex Smith and Colin Kaepernick in San Francisco was not as good as the revisionist history. They were eighth or better in rushing all four years from 2011-14. However, they were even worse in passing than the Bears have been with Getsy as offensive coordinator. They were 29th once and 30th twice. Once they got as high as 23rd. They took care of the football, though, throwing the fewest interceptions three straight years. His two Bills teams were 28th and 30th in passing with Tyrod Taylor passing. He did have one year when they cracked the top half of the league in passing with the Ravens, in 2021, but were actually 27th in passing the year Jackson threw 36 TD passes and last in 2020. They were No. 1 in rushing two straight years with the Bills and No. 1 in rushing his first two years with the Ravens, and in nine of his 10 years his offenses were fourth or better in rushing. But the Bears were first and second in rushing the last two years and what did that get them?

4. Greg Olson

The most experienced offensive coordinator in this group, but the drawback with Olson is he has been around a long time, from 2005-2021 as an OC, and had never really been a huge success until he had the Raiders passing attack ninth in 2019. Then they were seventh in 2020 and sixth in 2021. That was under Jon Gruden. Before that, all of his passing attacks were 10th or worse except in 2006 with the Rams when he more or less inherited the offense Mike Martz had. They were fourth in 2006 in his second year, then 19th. Very experienced, yet not really a huge success as play caller and he had only one team finish top 10 in rushing yards, with Tampa Bay in 2010.

5. Liam Coen

It's not clear why he would be interviewed except if he was a passing game coordinator or QB coach candidate. He did work with the Rams four seasons and that's a plus but his Kentucky offense hasn't been special.

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