Thomas Brown replaces Waldron (Photo Credit: www.chicagobears.com).
The Bears fired offensive coordinator Shane Waldron after a tough home loss, adding to their ongoing struggle with offensive leadership. But they did promote Thomas Brown, a Black coach, to take his place.
Head coach Matt Eberflus called it “a new direction” in his statement.
“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 Tuesday in a statement. “I would like to thank Shane for his efforts and wish him the best moving forward.”
In Brown, the Bears have a seasoned offensive-minded coach with roots in major college football and the NFL. He worked at several prestigious collegiate programs, serving in running back coach and offensive coordinator roles. He also earned a Super Bowl ring with the Los Angeles Rams in 2021.
Brown did coordinate the offense for the lowly Carolina Panthers. But an NFL player survey had him second among offensive coordinators.
Nevertheless, Waldron’s firing is the first in-season change to the Bears’ offensive coordinator role since 1970. But it highlights a familiar pattern for the Bears, who have cycled through play callers in search of success for first-round quarterbacks.
Mitchell Trubisky and Justin Fields endured coordinator changes that failed to yield fruit, ultimately stalling their Bears careers.
The challenges are steep for rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, who’s endured more sacks than any other quarterback this season. Despite a talented wide receiver group, the Bears’ offensive line struggles have left him exposed.
The Bears, who have lost three games in a row, face their biggest test yet when they host the Green Bay Packers next Sunday.
The following two games after the Packers could be even more daunting as they will play NFC North frontrunner Detroit Lions and the second-place Minnesota Vikings—a stretch that will ultimately determine the trajectory of their season and whether Eberflus survives.
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