CHICAGO — Shane Waldron has been fired because the Chicago Bears’ offensive coordinator lower than 10 months after being employed for the job.
The Bears introduced the firing Tuesday, someday after head coach Matt Eberflus promised “adjustments” and “changes” for the struggling Bears. Passing recreation coordinator Thomas Brown has been promoted to offensive coordinator.
“After evaluating our complete operation, I made a decision that it’s in the perfect curiosity of our group to maneuver in a distinct path with the management of our offense,” Eberflus mentioned in a press release launched by the group. “This choice was well-thought-out, one which was performed intentionally and respectfully. I want to thank Shane for his efforts and want him the perfect transferring ahead.”
The Bears haven’t modified offensive coordinators in the course of the season since Perry Moss grew to become Chicago’s first designated OC in 1970.
Waldron had come underneath heavy scrutiny in Chicago as a result of offense’s total efficiency and the current struggles of rookie quarterback Caleb Williams.
The Bears (4-5) have misplaced three straight video games, scoring a complete of simply 27 factors over that stretch, and are averaging simply 277.6 yards per recreation this season, the third lowest within the NFL.
Waldron, 45, was employed by the Bears on Jan. 23 after spending the earlier three seasons because the offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks. He changed Luke Getsy, who was fired after two seasons in Chicago however then grew to become the offensive coordinator for the Las Vegas Raiders, solely to be fired earlier this month.
Eberflus mentioned through the hiring course of final winter that the Bears have been searching for a “nice instructor” on the offensive coordinator put up, doubtless anticipating utilizing the primary total draft decide on a quarterback.
Regardless of overhauling the vast majority of their offensive teaching employees and dedicating excessive draft capital and free agent assets to upgrading the expertise on offense, together with utilizing the No. 1 decide on Williams, Chicago has underperformed by means of 10 weeks of the season.
The Bears rank close to the underside of the NFL in factors scored (twenty fourth), yards per carry (twenty eighth), yards per go (thirtieth), complete yards (thirtieth), third downs (thirty first) and yards per play (thirty first).
In Sunday’s house loss to the New England Patriots, Williams accomplished 16 of his 30 go makes an attempt for 120 yards, his lowest passing output since throwing for 93 yards in his NFL debut in opposition to the Tennessee Titans. Collectively, Chicago’s offense was 1-of-14 on third down (7%), its worst mark since 2012.
Williams was additionally sacked 9 instances by the Patriots, which brings his complete from the previous three video games to 18. Throughout Chicago’s current dropping streak, Williams has logged his three highest-pressure-percentage video games of his profession.
Brown is one season faraway from serving because the offensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers, which coincided with 2023 first total decide Bryce Younger’s rookie season. Brown spent three seasons with the Los Angeles Rams teaching working backs and tight ends and was additionally the group’s assistant head coach from 2021 to 2022.
Brown additionally has playcalling expertise on the collegiate stage because the offensive coordinator and working backs coach for Miami from 2016 to 2018.
“Thomas is a vibrant offensive thoughts who has expertise calling performs with a collaborative mindset. I sit up for his management over our offensive teaching employees and his plan for our gamers,” Eberflus mentioned.
