By Kevin Fishbain, Adam Jahns, and Amos Morale III
The Chicago Bears have made a change at the offensive coordinator position. The team parted ways with Shane Waldron and named passing game coordinator Thomas Brown as his replacement, handing him play-calling duties, the Bears announced Tuesday.
This move follows the Bears’ (4-5) dismal performance against the New England Patriots on Sunday, where they managed only three points. In their last three games, Chicago has scored a mere 27 points and hasn’t registered a touchdown since Week 8.
“After evaluating our entire operation, I decided it was in the best interest of our team to move in a different direction with the leadership of our offense,” coach Matt Eberflus stated. “This decision was carefully considered, deliberate, and respectful. I thank Shane for his efforts and wish him well moving forward.”
GO DEEPER
Bears’ Matt Eberflus Evaluating Offensive Play Caller Change
The Bears’ recent offensive struggles contrast with the strong performances they exhibited leading up to their Week 7 bye. Chicago scored 36 and 35 points in Weeks 5 and 6, respectively, but rookie quarterback Caleb Williams hasn’t thrown a touchdown pass since Week 6.
Eberflus stated on Monday that Williams will retain his starting position.
Brown is entering his first season with the Bears after spending last year with the Carolina Panthers.
“Thomas is a bright offensive mind with experience calling plays collaboratively. I look forward to his leadership over our offensive coaching staff and his plan for our players,” Eberflus said.
Why Bears Made the OC Change Now
This move marks a significant departure for the Bears. They are known for never firing a head coach mid-season, but they’ve also never made an in-season offensive coordinator change before. In 2000, offensive coordinator Gary Crowton left in December to join BYU, and in 2020, coach Matt Nagy relinquished play-calling duties to Bill Lazor, but those are the closest examples of major mid-season offensive changes — and even then, the Bears’ offense hasn’t been particularly impressive during that period.
This year, they rank 30th in total yards. While they haven’t ranked higher than 15th in this category since 2013 (and haven’t been within the top five since 1977), 30th would be their worst finish since 2017. — Kevin Fishbain, Bears beat writer
What This Means for Caleb Williams
Brown will be Eberflus’ third offensive coordinator in three seasons. He was initially hired as the Bears’ passing game coordinator after being interviewed as part of the team’s offensive coordinator search, which ultimately led to Waldron’s hiring.
This isn’t a new situation for Brown. He served as the Panthers’ offensive coordinator last season, taking over play-calling duties from former coach Frank Reich before Reich reclaimed them. Reich was eventually fired following a 1-10 start and with rookie quarterback Bryce Young struggling. Brown took over as the Panthers’ play caller after Reich’s dismissal. However, Brown didn’t call plays when he was the University of Miami’s offensive coordinator (2016-18).
Waldron and Brown previously collaborated in Los Angeles in 2020 under Sean McVay. Brown was the Rams’ running backs coach that season, while Waldron held the position of passing game coordinator. When Waldron moved on to become the Seattle Seahawks’ offensive coordinator the following season, Brown remained with McVay for three seasons, including a promotion to assistant head coach, before joining the Panthers. — Jahns
**Required Reading**
(Photo: Michael Reaves / Getty Images)
# Bears Replace Offensive Coordinator Shane Waldron with Thomas Brown Amid Ongoing Struggles
**Chicago**, **IL** – The Chicago Bears announced a major shakeup on their coaching staff, replacing beleaguered offensive coordinator Shane Waldron with former Miami Dolphins assistant coach Thomas Brown.
This move comes amidst a season of offensive struggles for the Bears, who have consistently ranked near the bottom of the league in points scored and total yards gained. Waldron’s tenure saw limited success implementing his system, failing to fully unlock the potential of star quarterback Justin Fields.
## Analyzing the Move
The decision to part ways with Waldron reflects the growing frustration within the organization regarding the offense’s performance.
* **Limited Offensive Production:** The Bears consistently struggled to move the ball and put points on the board under Waldron’s leadership.
* **Lack of Quarterback Development:** While Justin Fields showed flashes of brilliance, his development has been hindered by a lack of offensive structure and playcalling.
* **Roster Mismatch Concerns:** Some analysts argue that Waldron’s offensive scheme wasn’t tailored to the Bears’ current roster composition.
The hope is that Brown, a respected offensive mind with experience coaching running backs and quarterbacks, can inject new life into the offense.
## Thomas Brown: A Fresh Perspective
Brown brings a wealth of experience to the Bears, having served as the Miami Dolphins’ Assistant Head Coach/Run Game Coordinator in 2022. Prior to that, he held various offensive coaching positions with the Atlanta Falcons and Los Angeles Rams. Known for his strong leadership qualities and innovative playcalling, Brown is seen as a potential revitalizer for the Bears’ struggling offense.
### Key Strengths of Thomas Brown:
* **Proven Running Game Expertise:** Brown has a track record of developing effective run games, which can be critical for balancing the offense and controlling the clock.
* **Quarterback Development:** While his experience coaching quarterbacks is primarily with NFL veterans, his understanding of quarterback play and ability to create schemes that maximize their strengths will be invaluable for Fields’ development.
* **Adaptability and Innovation:** Brown has demonstrated an ability to adapt his offensive schemes to different personnel and situations, which is essential in today’s ever-evolving NFL landscape.
## Potential Impact on the Bears Offense
The arrival of Thomas Brown signals a significant shift in philosophy for the Chicago Bears offense.
| **Aspect** | **Potential Change Under Brown** |
|—|—|
| **Run Game Emphasis:** | Increased emphasis on establishing a strong run game, creating balance and opening up play-action opportunities. |
| **Quarterback Development:** | Tailored playcalling that utilizes Fields’ strengths (mobility, arm talent) while minimizing his weaknesses. |
| **Offensive Creativity:** | Expect to see more dynamic and innovative play designs, incorporating various formations and personnel groupings. |
## Looking Ahead: Can Brown Turn Things Around?
The question remains whether Thomas Brown can lead the Bears offense out of its current slump. Much will depend on several factors:
* **Brown’s Ability to Connect with Players:** Building strong relationships and earning the trust of his players is crucial for implementing any new scheme effectively.
* **Offensive Line Performance:** A consistently strong offensive line is essential for creating running lanes and protecting Fields. The Bears’ offensive line has battled injuries and inconsistency this season.
* **Justin Fields’ Growth:** Can Fields continue to develop and execute Brown’s system? His performance will be a key barometer of the offense’s success.
The arrival of Thomas Brown represents a bold move by the Chicago Bears, one that signifies their commitment to improving the offensive side of the ball. While it remains to be seen if this change will yield immediate results, the organization is clearly hoping Brown can bring the much-needed spark and revitalization the offense desperately needs.
