The Chicago Bears have made a significant change to their coaching staff by dismissing offensive coordinator Shane Waldron on Tuesday, aiming to revitalize an offense that has struggled significantly this season. The franchise has promoted Thomas Brown, the offensive passing game coordinator, to take over as the new offensive coordinator.
This decision comes at a challenging point for the Bears (4-5), as they are currently experiencing a three-game losing streak, and their offense has been declining after substantial changes in the offseason, particularly with the selection of Caleb Williams as the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft. Following a disappointing 19-3 defeat to New England at home, head coach Matt Eberflus indicated that a reshaping of the offense was imminent, declaring that the decision to keep or remove Waldron fell solely on him.
In a statement released, Eberflus remarked, “After assessing our entire operation, I determined that a change in the leadership of our offense is necessary for the betterment of the team. This choice was carefully considered and made with respect.” He went on to thank Waldron for his contributions and express optimism regarding Brown’s capabilities, noting his sharp offensive insight and collaborative approach to play calling.
Waldron’s tenure with the Bears lasted only nine games; he was brought on board in January after Luke Getsy was let go following two seasons. Getsy was subsequently hired as the offensive coordinator for the Las Vegas Raiders but also faced an early exit in November. Currently, the Bears sit at 30th in total offense and 24th in scoring within the league. They have not scored a touchdown in back-to-back games for the first time since 2004 and have endured 23 successive possessions without a touchdown since their last scoring drive against Washington in Week 8. During that game, the Bears lost on a last-second Hail Mary throw by Jayden Daniels.
The Bears’ offense has struggled notably, managing merely two touchdowns in 34 possessions post-bye week. Before this downturn, the Bears had enjoyed a three-game winning streak, with Williams and the offense showing signs of improvement—even if it was against teams facing their own challenges. In the prior three games, Williams had completed 74% of his passes for 687 yards, tallying seven touchdowns against one interception. However, over the last three games, he has only been able to connect on 48 out of 95 passes and has failed to register a touchdown.
Williams has frequently found himself under pressure due to a poorly performing offensive line that is also grappling with numerous injuries. Additionally, he has been criticized for holding the ball too long instead of opting for quick throwaways or check downs to evade sacks. Waldron’s play-calling also reflected a reluctance to utilize the run game fully at times, which frustrated players who felt the need for a firmer coaching approach following a loss to Indianapolis in Week 3.
After their brief winning streak and entering their bye week with a 4-2 record, the Bears have struggled, and upcoming games pose a tougher challenge. Six out of their last eight matchups are against division rivals in the NFC North, starting with a game against Green Bay this Sunday. The Bears’ recent performance has intensified scrutiny on Coach Eberflus, as fans have been vocal with chants of “Fire ‘Flus!” during recent games. His record stands at 14-29 through over two and a half seasons, a disappointing trajectory considering the team aimed for improvement after finishing with a 3-14 record in 2022.
General manager Ryan Poles executed a comprehensive revamp of the offensive lineup during the offseason. To prepare for drafting Williams, the Bears traded away Justin Fields to Pittsburgh. They also made a high-profile trade this year for six-time Pro Bowler Keenan Allen from the Los Angeles Chargers, following the previous year’s acquisition of DJ Moore in exchange for the No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft. Furthermore, they acquired running back D’Andre Swift and veteran tight end Gerald Everett, which was expected to enhance their already promising tight end combination alongside Cole Kmet. However, the offensive unit has yet to gel as anticipated.