Growing Belief Shane Waldron Is Hiding Big Plans For Key Bears Player

The Chicago Bears have set new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron up with a sweet situation. He'll have two legitimate #1 wide receivers to play around with, D.J. Moore and Keenan Allen. They added 9th overall pick Rome Odunze for extra spice. Then he'll have solid tight end Cole Kmet and speedy running back D'Andre Swift for even more options. Even average coordinators shouldn't have a problem producing yards and points with this group. Waldron should count himself fortunate. Most in his position haven't had this level of riches in modern Bears history.

However, Bradley Locker of Pro Football Focus believes people might be overlooking another chess piece on the board, one the Bears are keeping quiet ahead of the season. He noticed it during joint practice with the Cincinnati Bengals.

"The Bears' starting offense is littered with weapons, specifically at receiver. At the same time, the team’s tight end room could be more prominent than anticipated.

In addition to clear TE1 Cole Kmet, veteran Gerald Everett — signed to a two-year, $12 million deal this offseason — was a consistent starter inside against Cincy, including working in the slot with his unmistakable No. 14.

New Chicago OC Shane Waldron has a penchant for multi-tight end sets: Over the last two years, Waldron’s Seattle offense ranked fifth in snaps out of 12 personnel. Expect that trend to continue in the Windy City, leveraging both Kmet and the 30-year-old Everett."

Shane Waldron knows exactly what Everett can do.

The two were together for five years, between 2017 and 2021. Waldron was his coordinator in Seattle in 2021. Everett had his best season that year, going for 478 yards and four touchdowns. He understands how to utilize the tight end's unique versatility, lining him up in a variety of formations. It creates matchup problems for the defense, who will be too busy worrying about Moore, Allen, Kmet, and the others.

If you get Everett on a linebacker, that's a mismatch. It is undoubtedly a big reason Shane Waldron lobbied the Bears to bring him in. Such a player may not get the media attention, but he always makes one or two plays each week that contribute to the team winning. Don't be shocked to hear #14 pop up early and often.

He should be particularly dangerous on 3rd down and in the red zone, where he can line up in the backfield, in line, or in the slot. His size and athleticism create options.