Shane Waldron's Latest Presser May Have Crippled His Credibility

Matt Eberflus is taking most of the heat for Sunday's loss to the Washington Commanders. Shane Waldron should be grateful for that because otherwise, it would be him. People haven't forgotten the fact his offense stunk up the stadium for three quarters, barely eclipsing 30 yards passing. Of course, that pales in comparison to the all-time blunder moment when trailing 12-7 at Washington's 1-yard line, Waldron opted to call a fullback dive to backup offensive lineman Doug Kramer instead of either running back.

Predictably, the untried Kramer fumbled the exchange with Caleb Williams, giving it back to Washington. Everybody in attendance and watching at home was baffled by the call. Some former players called it the dumbest they'd ever seen. Waldron was finally asked about it during his presser on Thursday. When given an opportunity to accept responsibility that it was a bad call, he doubled down instead.

Shane Waldron won't get much respect that way.

Not just from the fans but from his own players. Remember D.J. Moore even admitted after the game that he didn't know what the coaches were thinking with that call. If he thought it, you can bet others did, too. For Waldron to dig his heels in and insist it was a sound decision at that stage of the game is hard to understand. People will reference how it worked for the Bears with William Perry in 1985. True, but the circumstances were different.

1. The Bears were at home.
2. It was the 2nd quarter, not the 4th.
3. It was a tie game, not one they trailed.

Shane Waldron got cute at the worst possible time, and it helped cost his team the game. If the Bears score there, get the ball back as they did on the next drive and score again? There wouldn't have been any Hail Mary. It has become clear that Waldron might be a little in over his head. In Seattle, he had the benefit of veteran quarterbacks and a Hall of Fame head coach shielding him. Now, in Chicago, where the fanbase and media profile are much larger, he isn't handling the pressure well.