Are the Bears helping or setting up another quarterback to fail.
Chicago Bears coach Matt Eberflus gave his word that he would evaluate his staff following the team’s 19-3 loss to the New England Patriots on Sunday, and less than 48 hours later, on Tuesday a change was made. CBS Sports NFL insider Jonathan Jones is reporting that the Bears have parted ways with offensive coordinator Shane Waldron just nine games into his stint. NFL Media reports passing game coordinator Thomas Brown is expected to take over as offensive coordinator.
“After evaluating our entire operation, I decided that it is in the best interest of our team to move in a different direction with the leadership of our offense. This decision was well-thought-out, one that was conducted deliberately and respectfully,” Eberflus said in a statement. “I would like to thank Shane for his efforts and wish him the best moving forward.
“Thomas is a bright offensive mind who has experience calling plays with a collaborative mindset. I look forward to his leadership over our offensive coaching staff and his plan for our players.”
The Bears have not been the same team since their 18-15 loss to the Washington Commanders on a Hail Mary by quarterback Jayden Daniels, and have not found the endzone on 23 straight offensive drives dating back to Week 8. That is the longest active streak in the NFL. The offensive line has also allowed 15 sacks over the last two games, including nine on Sunday against the Patriots.
Embed from Getty ImagesThrough 10 weeks, the Bears offense averages an abysmal 277.7 total yards per game, which ranks third-worst (28th) in the NFL, and 19.4 points per game, which ranks ninth-worst in the league. Chicago’s offense ranks bottom three in yards per play (4.3), third down percentage (28.7%) and sacks allowed (38). No one can confuse with the ‘Greatest Show on Turf’.
Waldron was in his first season as the offensive coordinator for the Bears, coming over from the Seattle Seahawks, where he spent three seasons as offensive coordinator with quarterback Geno Smith. He was tasked with developing No. 1 overall pick out of USC Caleb Williams and his impressive supporting cast of weapons that Chicago’s front office worked hard to assemble this offseason, but the relationship got off to a rocky start from Week 1. After Williams won three straight starts from Weeks 4-6, Chicago has lost three straight following the Week 7 bye. In those three losses, Williams is averaging 4.9 yards per attempt, and has thrown zero touchdowns.
Waldron’s replacement, Brown, is someone who is well respected around the league and has received head coaching interest at the young age of 38. He spent the 2023 season as the offensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers, and helped Bryce Young defeat C.J. Stroud’s Houston Texans by a score of 15-13 in his first game calling plays after Frank Reich relinquished the duties. Brown also has playcalling experience at the collegiate level as the offensive coordinator and running backs coach for the Miami Hurricanes from 2016-18.
The Bears are now 4-5, and their schedule is about to get a lot harder. Chicago has the toughest-remaining schedule in the NFL, and will play its first divisional opponent of the year this week in their arch rival Green Bay Packers.
