LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) — On a key fourth-and-goal play at the 1-yard line Sunday, the Bears found themselves in a precarious position at the line of scrimmage.
Bears offensive coordinator Shane Waldron lined up his offense in a pistol formation for a speed option to the left. He believed the Colts’ defensive front would align in a favorable formation for the Bears based on film study. Waldron was confident the play call would work, but his players recognized quickly it didn’t stand a chance based on what the defense presented.
Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams had the freedom to check out of the play call, but the play clock had ticked under 10 seconds and the ball had to be snapped. The Bears offensive line was quickly overwhelmed by Colts defenders who broke through to the backfield.
Williams pitched the football to running back D’Andre Swift as four Bears offensive linemen were down on the turf. Swift was outnumbered and had no chance to find the end zone as he was tackled for a 12-yard loss after looking to cut back.
That play stuck out more than the 83 others called by Waldron in the Bears' disappointing 21-16 loss to the Colts. It illustrated several issues that need to be worked out for a struggling offense.
Early this week behind closed doors at Halas Hall, Waldron met with Williams and key leaders of the Bears’ offense. They worked to establish a consensus on how the scheme can best suit its personnel.
The process began with Waldron taking accountability for his role in the struggles, then came key players accepting responsibility for what they can do better.
“Don’t feel like you can’t point guys out, from the oldest guy in the room – being me – to the youngest guy," Bears veteran tight end Marcedes Lewis said of the message to Waldron. "Don’t feel like you can’t coach. I want to be coached, I want to be great. This is not for play. This is our job. We understand that it’s a high-stress and production-based business, and we all got to be doing the same things or everybody gets fired. Ego is supposed to be left at the door. That’s what it’s about. He’s very receptive to that.
“Nobody is sensitive in here. We want to win games just as bad as you do, and it’s a collaborative effort. This is not Pop Warner. We work together side-by-side to get things done. That’s really what my message was.”
From the 40-year-old Lewis to the 22-year-old Williams, the Bears took ownership for their role in the scuffling offense. Chicago has compiled 53 points and just three offensive touchdowns in three games this season. The running game has been nonexistent in averaging 3.0 yards per carry, which ranks 31st in the NFL. Swift has 37 carries for 68 yards, a 1.8-yard average.
Hired by the Bears in January, Waldron is already facing great scrutiny. He knows well that comes with the job.
"I know we haven’t lived up to what we want to be in our building right now, in terms of some of the execution there,” Waldron said. “But the thing that we can rely on is that the communication has been great, and it’s been consistent and it’s ever-growing.
“We’re built the right way. The players are built the right way. I think seeing that keep improving as we move forward is something that will show.”
Before being selected No. 1 overall by the Bears in April, Williams played under head coach Lincoln Riley for three seasons – first at Oklahoma in 2021 before following him to USC a year later. Williams and Riley formed a strong pairing and found great success offensively.
Williams and Waldron are just five months into their working relationship. Though Williams was named the Bears’ starting quarterback almost immediately after he was drafted, he’s still a first-year player figuring it out in the NFL.
Williams is working to establish his voice at this level, and he’s plenty comfortable with that.
“For me, taking the information and the constant growth throughout the season is really important for me – one in my career and two for the Chicago Bears,” Williams said. “Just being coachable in any way possible that I can be. I want to be coached, I’m being coached on the details each week. So, I just have to go out there and execute, do my job and help the Chicago Bears win games.”
It has been difficult to pinpoint just one issue with the Bears’ offense early in the season. The Bears have a new scheme brought in by Waldron, a rookie quarterback in Williams learning at this level, a running game that can't get moving and an offensive line that has underperformed.
The Bears’ offense is a puzzle with pieces scattered abound, and they’re attempting to put it all together.
“This game, man, you either expose others or you get exposed,” Lewis said. “You don’t have the room to not be doing your thing. When you guys see a great catch, it took all 11 for that to happen. When you see a touchdown, it took all 11 to see that happen. That’s what it’s about, making sure that we’re all on the same page with where we’re supposed to be and what we’re supposed to be doing. That’s really it. It’s a complementary sport. This is why you love it.”
Quote to note
"His special talent of getting open in a phone booth is going to be great for us." – Williams on welcoming receiver Keenan Allen back from a heel injury
Prediction (2-1): Bears 25, Rams 20
Believe it or not, the Bears are getting better. It hasn't been pretty across the first three weeks, but there has indeed been progress. It will be more clear Sunday as Caleb Williams leads a clean operation at Soldier Field and the home team earns a win.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.