LAKE FOREST, Ill.
— Matt Eberflus has taken ownership of the struggles the Chicago Bears are facing on offense.
He acknowledges that this marks the third different play-caller he has had in just 2.5 seasons at the helm, following the decision to part ways with offensive coordinator Shane Waldron—his second firing in less than a year.
Eberflus has elevated passing game coordinator Thomas Brown to the role with high hopes of turning things around and maximizing the potential of rookie quarterback Caleb Williams.
“I accept full responsibility for the current situation,” Eberflus stated on Wednesday, a day after the announcement was made.
“This needs to improve, and it needs to happen this week. The attention to detail and creativity must enhance.”
Waldron served just nine games before his dismissal after being hired in January to replace the ousted Luke Getsy.
Brown now inherits an offense that sits close to the bottom of the league in performance metrics.
The Bears are amongst the lowest in average yards per game, with only two teams trailing them, one of which is New England—who defeated Chicago 19-3 at Soldier Field on Sunday.
“I’m not in pursuit of quick fixes,” Brown remarked.
“What I’m seeking are long-term solutions that can effectively steer us in a positive direction. The aim is for immediate success, as I refuse to adopt a loser’s mentality, nor should my players.”
Williams is optimistic about observing the improvements under Brown’s play-calling.
“I believe we will effectively synchronize our play, making everything cohesive,” Williams said.
“From there, we’ll likely see easier passes and additional opportunities that can enhance our performance in both the running and passing games. I believe it will generate greater explosiveness for our offense.”
The Bears are experiencing a frustrating streak, having gone without a touchdown in consecutive games for the first time since 2004.
They have faced a lengthy 23 possessions without finding the end zone since their last score in the closing seconds against Washington in Week 8, losing that encounter due to a last-minute Hail Mary.
The offense has produced just two touchdowns over 34 drives in the three games that have followed their bye week.
Prior to the break, the Bears had a three-game winning streak, during which Williams and the offense started to find their footing, albeit against teams that were also struggling.
Players shared their frustrations regarding the offensive state with Eberflus, but he insisted that no one called for Waldron’s termination.
“I don’t think anyone directly asked for Waldron’s departure,” said receiver DJ Moore.
“We voiced our frustrations but never to the extent of jeopardizing someone’s career. It’s tough, but we’re now focusing on Thomas and we’re fully behind him.”
Brown steps into this role following a previous interview for the position that ultimately went to Waldron.
He is no stranger to assuming play-calling responsibilities during the season—he had a similar role last year with Carolina after replacing head coach Frank Reich, who later resumed play-calling duties before facing his own dismissal while the Panthers struggled at 1-10.
Currently, Brown is tasked with coaching Williams, who seemed to be making progress before faltering in recent games.
The 2022 Heisman Trophy winner faced overwhelming pressure in the game against New England, getting sacked nine times and admitting he’s been holding the ball too long on occasions.
“There were a few sacks I shouldn’t have taken,” Williams acknowledged.
“Being decisive and getting the ball out of my hands promptly is critical, and that needs to start immediately.”
As for the firing of Waldron, Williams commented, “I don’t have the authority to make those decisions, nor can I determine if they are right or wrong. All I can do is listen and focus on performing my job.”
In other news, the Bears made the decision to release veteran guard Nate Davis despite some injuries plaguing their offensive line.
They had signed him to a three-year, $30 million contract prior to last season.
Davis reported back tightness on Sunday morning and was sent home before the game.
He had started 13 of the 16 games he played for the Bears and had been dealing with a lingering groin injury during training camp that recurred after his initial two games, leading to a drop in the depth chart.