Throughout the past 24 hours, every name that has surfaced for the Chicago Bears offensive coordinator job fit the same criteria: young, ascending, and primarily known for coaching quarterbacks. This isn't a surprise. Ben Johnson will be the one calling plays. It makes sense that he would want somebody young, energetic, and driven to stay on top of things whenever he can't put his focus on that side of the ball. However, things took a drastic shift on Saturday when Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune revealed they are also talking to David Shaw about the opening.
This is a massive shift in type. Shaw is a college coaching legend, having won 96 games in 11 seasons at Stanford, along with two Rose Bowl victories. He was a vital component of the program, recruiting and developing future superstar Andrew Luck. Before that, he had an extensive run as an NFL assistant in Oakland and Baltimore. Rich Gannon evolved into an MVP with the Raiders under his guidance. Shaw has also coached tight ends and wide receivers. There are so many assets he would bring to the organization.
The Chicago Bears' interest in Shaw is well-justified.
For one, he has extensive head coaching experience. That would be a huge benefit to a first-time head coach like Johnson, who may not be aware of some of the challenges ahead. For another, Shaw knows how to identify and develop talent from his decade-long run at Stanford. He was instrumental in sending guys like Zach Ertz, Andrus Peat, Christian McCaffrey, and Justin Reid to the NFL, among many others. His sharp eye for good players would be a big help, to say nothing of his ability to organize.
More than anything, it is his leadership that people rave about the most. Shaw is universally respected as a genuine leader of men. It was why the Chicago Bears already interviewed him for the head coaching job earlier this month. The fact they're bringing him back for the offensive coordinator job tells you how well that meeting probably went. He is available, too. At present, he merely serves as an executive in Denver. If the Bears want to hire him, there are no hoops to jump through. This one would be hard to beat.
