Bears Make Bold Move: Waldron Out, Brown In as Season Takes Dramatic Turn
In a stunning midseason shake-up, the Chicago Bears have fired offensive coordinator Shane Waldron after their crushing 3-point performance against the New England Patriots in Week 10. The team wasted no time in promoting passing game coordinator Thomas Brown to fill the vacant position, marking a pivotal moment in their 2024 campaign.
The decision comes amid growing pressure from multiple directions. Sources close to the situation reveal that Bears players themselves approached head coach Matt Eberflus and GM Ryan Poles to push for change at the coordinator position. Even more surprisingly, some veteran players reportedly requested a quarterback switch to Tyson Bagent over current starter Caleb Williams.
The Bears’ offensive woes have been impossible to ignore. The team ranks near the bottom of the NFL in several key categories:
- 24th in points scored
- 30th in total yards
- 31st in third-down conversions
- 31st in yards per play.
Williams, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 draft, has particularly struggled in recent weeks. In the last three games alone, the rookie quarterback has experienced 18 sacks, resulting in pressure percentages that are career-high. His performance against the Patriots was especially concerning, completing just 16 of 30 passes for a mere 120 yards.
“After evaluating our entire operation, I decided that it is in the best interest of our team to move in a different direction,” Eberflus stated in the team’s official announcement. This marks a historic moment for the franchise—the Bears haven’t changed offensive coordinators mid-season since Perry Moss became their first designated OC in 1970.
Brown brings fresh perspective to the role, having served as the Carolina Panthers’ offensive coordinator last season, where he worked with another first-overall pick, Bryce Young. His experience includes a successful stint with the Los Angeles Rams as their running backs and tight ends coach.
With three straight losses and just 27 points scored, the Bears’ playoff hopes are in jeopardy at 4-5. Brown faces the immediate challenge of jumpstarting an offense that’s averaging a disappointing 277.6 yards per game.
Looking ahead, potential candidates are already emerging for a permanent offensive coordinator position. Names like Jerrod Johnson (Texans QB Coach), Chandler Whitmer (Falcons Pass Game Specialist), and even USC head coach Lincoln Riley have surfaced in early discussions. Riley’s previous success with Williams at USC makes him a particularly intriguing possibility.
With eight games remaining in the season, Brown gets his chance to prove he’s the right person to develop Williams and revive the Bears’ struggling offense. Pressure is on because this decision could affect the rest of the 2024 season and the franchise’s young quarterback.