Waldron on Williams as a leader, playing complementary football |
CHICAGO—Offensive coordinator Shane Waldron has extensive offensive play-calling experience. However, this will be his first NFL regular-season game calling plays for rookie quarterback Caleb Williams.
Williams played a bit in the preseason, and his performance has given fans hope for this season. “I think he’s done a good job with making those throws and then the in-practice throws, there’s been some stuff there where we know one of his strong points is his arm talent, his ability to spread the ball over the entire field, and so, I think from a receiver, tight end, running standpoint, those guys know each play, we have designated progressions in the read,” Waldron said. “But, knowing that everyone’s part of every single play and I think the guys have done a great job of surrounding Caleb, knowing that there could be a potential for some of these throws to pop up at any point.” The Heisman winner was a leader in the locker room during his college days with Southern California. While he has only been a Chicago Bear since the end of April, Williams has already stepped into that leadership role by being comfortable in himself and always working hard to improve. “I think Caleb’s done a nice job of being comfortable in who he is, and I think leadership starts with the ability to go out there and perform at this level and also the ability to not go out there and force any sort of leadership on his teammates, especially being a young player in the league and so, I think by him just going out there and being himself, being comfortable in who he is and the starting point for what other people in the building see around him is how hard he works,” Waldron said. “So, if you’re a great person and you work hard, you’re naturally going to fit into a leadership rule, especially when you’re at the quarterback position.” The common concern with any offense at the beginning of the season is that it will start a little slow. This is particularly true with so many new pieces like receivers Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze, tight end Gerald Everett, and running back D’Andre Swift because they need time to build chemistry. However, Waldron does not have that in mind, as he wants the team to play complementary football right out of the gate. “Our goal is to play great complementary football, and so, we’ve talked about one of the key components to that: not turning the ball over, taking care of the football, and ending each drive with a kick. Our goal is to end each drive on offense with an extra point,” Waldron said. “But, if that’s not the case right there, a field goal or potential punt is also a positive situation for us because we have a great special teams unit. We have a great defense. So, working together with all three phases to go through a game, I think, is important.” Chicago learned a little bit from the opening game of the NFL season between the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens. As Baltimore learned the hard way, the league is placing a greater emphasis on illegal formations, specifically with offensive linemen being in line with the center’s head. Waldron will have to ensure that this is instilled in the line prior to this Sunday against the Tennessee Titans (Noon/FOX).
