Report: Matt Eberflus, Chicago Bears fire OC Shane Waldron, promote Thomas Brown

The Chicago Bears (4-5) have fired offensive coordinator Shane Waldron just nine games into his tenure with the franchise, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported Tuesday.

Thomas Brown, Chicago’s passing game coordinator who served as interim head coach for the Carolina Panthers (3-7) last season, will take over the play-calling duties for the final eight games of the season.

“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,” head coach Matt 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.”

Bears axe Shane Waldron amid horrid stretch on offense

Eberflus hired Waldron back in January after dismissing Luke Getsy. Waldron had spent the previous three seasons calling plays for the Seattle Seahawks (4-5) and spent time on Sean McVay’s staff with the Los Angeles Rams (4-5). With Chicago owning the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Waldron was to help mold Caleb Williams into the generational talent many touted him to be. Chicago further brought in Keenan Allen, D’Andre Swift and Rome Odunze to complement D.J. Moore and Cole Kmet on offense.

It’s been a struggle, however, particularly during Chicago’s current three-game losing streak. The Bears have scored 27 points, Williams throwing for 217 yards or less in each game. The final straw for Waldron was Sunday’s 19-3 Week 10 home defeat to the New England Patriots (3-7), in which the offense compiled just 142 total yards. New England came into the game surrendering 339.5 yards per game. The offense has gone 23 consecutive possessions without scoring a touchdown, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Williams has thrown for 1,785 yards, nine touchdowns and five interceptions on 60.5% passing. His 38.4 QBR is 29th among quarterbacks. Williams has been sacked 38 times, the most in the NFL. Pass protection has long been a problem in Chicago, as Justin Fields was sacked 99 times in his last two seasons with the team.

Brown, one of the most respected coaches around the league, will look to improve things down the stretch. Players voted Brown as the No. 2 offensive coordinator in football in last season’s NFLPA survey. The former Georgia running back is well traveled, having coached for nine colleges/teams since 2011.