Shane Waldron chose to sign with the Chicago Bears as their new offensive coordinator. He is now in the process of piecing together his staff. From there, GM Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus will work with him to pinpoint the players he wants for his system. Waldron is known for adaptability, so he will likely find ways to use what the Bears already have. However, the unit still needs work in a number of areas. Yes, the quarterback is one of them. However, there are others almost as pressing.
Top Bleacher Report analyst Brent Sobleski assessed the arrival of Waldron and what it will mean for the Bears’ offense. The first thing he indicated was the team must trade Justin Fields. Both sides need a fresh start. Waldron should get to help choose his own quarterback. Next comes what to do in free agency. Sobleski thinks the primary target is an obvious one. No, it’s not a wide receiver like many fans will push for. He thinks the obvious target is one of the top available centers.
One who fits what Waldron likes to do.
General manager Ryan Poles should look to re-sign cornerback Jaylon Johnson, wide receiver Darnell Mooney and possibly tight end Robert Tonyan Jr. From there, center Tyler Biadasz can become the primary target outside of the organization.
The 26-year-old pivot became a starter as a rookie. During the following three seasons, Biadasz started all but two games. He become a Pro Bowler in 2022. On the other side of the equation, the Bears have a need with Lucas Patrick set to enter free agency and the financial flexibility to make Biadasz one of the game’s highest-paid centers.
The Bears can get younger, improve the talent over the ball, provide a young quarterback with a proven snapper and bring a Midwestern boy closer to home by signing Biadasz.
Shane Waldron must push the Bears to upgrade at center.
Since Olin Kreutz left in the early 2010s, the organization has struggled to settle that position. Cody Whitehair was the closest they came to stability, but even he had his ongoing struggles with consistency. Lucas Patrick was their latest attempt to get the position figured out. It didn’t work. He was a constant weak link in pass protection. Biadasz is far more reliable in this regard, helping Dak Prescott to deliver the best passing season of his career in 2023 while making a Pro Bowl in 2022. Yet Biadasz also has the mobility, grit, and strength of a great run blocker. Dallas ranked top-10 in rushing in two of the three years he’s been a starter.
Ryan Poles is known for having a preference to add players with local ties. Biadasz grew up in the Midwest, hailing from Amherst, Wisconsin. He may like the idea of coming closer to home. The Bears would definitely improve up front with him in the middle. It would be a preferable move if they plan to select a quarterback #1 overall. Having an established veteran snapping him the ball is never a bad idea. Dallas will be $19 million over the salary cap this off-season. So, keeping Biadasz would be difficult. Shane Waldron could make great use of him.
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