The ongoing struggles of the Chicago Bears’ offense led to a major change ahead of Sunday’s visit from the Green Bay Packers. According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the Bears are firing offensive coordinator Shane Waldron and handing over playcalling duties to passing game coordinator Thomas Brown.
The change at offensive coordinator will present a new challenge for defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley as the Packers come out of the bye week and prepare to face a reeling Bears offense.
Coach Matt Eberflus suggested big changes could be coming after the Bears lost a third consecutive game in Week 10.
Chicago scored only three points in a 19-3 loss to the New England Patriots last Sunday. The Bears haven’t scored an offensive touchdown since Week 8 and have just 27 total points in the three games since the bye week.
Against the Patriots, the Bears managed just 69 net passing yards and 142 total yards. Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams was sacked nine times, and he’s been sacked 18 total times in the last three games.
Waldron lasted only nine games as offensive coordinator in his first season with the Bears. He’ll be replaced by Brown, who has experience calling plays.
Brown was the offensive coordinator of the Carolina Panthers in 2023. He also coached running backs and served as assistant head coach under Sean McVay with the Los Angeles Rams between 2020 and 2022. At the college level, Brown was the offensive coordinator for the Miami Hurricanes for the three seasons.
With Brown calling plays in 2023, Bryce Young and the Panthers scored 30 points in a near upset of the Packers in December. However, the Panthers ranked 31st in scoring and 32nd in yards gained last season.
The Packers and Browns are scheduled for a noon kickoff from Soldier Field on Sunday.
