- The Chicago Bears drafted Caleb Williams with the first pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, but the rookie quarterback has struggled this season.
- On Tuesday, the Bears fired coordinator Shane Waldron to try to spark the offense.
- Passing game coordinator Thomas Brown will take over for Waldron.
The Chicago Bears had the first pick in the NFL draft this past summer, and they took 2023 Heisman winner Caleb Williams out of USC. The quarterback was supposed to be the Bears’ savior, and fans had high hopes, considering a shaky past with their signal-callers.
However, Williams’ first season has not gone to plan, and the Bears have made a big move as they fired offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, just 10 months after hiring him.
Bears Rank Low in Most Offensive Categories
ESPN reported on Tuesday that Waldron had been fired by the Bears, and head coach Matt Eberflus said that there would be “changes” ahead for the team.
It wasn’t looking good for Waldron after the Bears fell 19-3 at home against New England, and this interaction with Williams was caught on camera.
However, the Bears had to do something to shake up the offense. Chicago is 30th in yards per game, 30th in passing yards, 24th in rushing yards, and 24th in points per game. Williams is 28th in passer rating, completing 60.5% of his passes for 1,785 yards, nine touchdowns and five interceptions. He has also been sacked 38 times in nine games. There is potential there, as Williams has had good games against Indianapolis, Carolina, and Jacksonville. However, after getting dominated by a New England squad that is now 3-7 after beating the Bears, changes had to be made.
Chicago also invested a lot in getting the best out of Williams in the offseason. They hired Waldron after three successful years in Seattle. Waldron also won two Super Bowls with New England in 2004 and 2005, when he was an offensive quality-control coach.
The Bears brought in Thomas Brown from Carolina to be the passing-game coordinator, and he’ll take over for Waldron at offensive coordinator. They signed running back D’Andre Swift to a three-year deal worth $24 million, and traded for veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen. Alongside Williams, the Bears drafted receiver Rome Odunze out of Washington with the ninth pick. Odunze leads the Bears in receiving yards with 414 yards, although he has just one touchdown.
Chicago will try to turn the tide in NFL Week 11 action as they host NFC North rivals Green Bay. The Bears are 6-point underdogs at home, according to NFL betting sites.
Will This Change Help the Bears?
It remains to be seen if this change helps the Bears. Brown ran the passing game, but now will have full control of the offense, where there is some talent. The Bears also have receiver DJ Moore, who has had four 1,000-yard seasons, including a career-high 1,364 and eight touchdowns last season.
However, the offensive line isn’t helping Williams, as the Bears have given up 38 sacks this season. Only Cleveland has allowed more. Williams can throw the ball quicker, which will come with experience, hopefully. But the line has to do a better job of giving Williams more time, and that hasn’t happened.
But changes did have to be made, and the Bears have invested a lot in Williams, who was high on the list of NFL Rookie of the Year odds before his recent struggles. Waldron was the first to go, but Eberflus could also be on the chopping block after three seasons in Chicago if things don’t turn around quickly.
