After a string of three consecutive losses and worsening offensive issues, the Chicago Bears are making a major adjustment.
NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reports that the Bears will part ways with offensive coordinator Shane Waldron after just nine games in his first season. Thomas Brown, currently the passing game coordinator, is expected to step into the offensive coordinator role.
During this recent losing streak, which has dropped the Bears to 4-5 and last in the NFC North, the team has scored only 27 points in total. Their offensive output has decreased with each game, and they haven’t reached the end zone in their last 23 possessions.
As they prepare to face the Green Bay Packers, head coach Matt Eberflus is hopeful that this significant change will provide a much-needed spark to their offense.
Waldron was initially tasked with leading rookie quarterback Caleb Williams in his debut season, but the results have been underwhelming. Scoring has been scarce, and Williams has faced relentless pressure from opposing defenses.
The decision to release Waldron comes after a 19-3 loss to the 3-7 New England Patriots, where Williams threw for just 120 yards, and the offense mustered only 142 yards overall. Williams was sacked nine times in that game, marking an NFL season high.
Chicago has now gone two full games without a touchdown and has allowed six or more sacks in back-to-back games for the first time since 1993, per NFL Research.
The offensive struggles have raised concerns about Williams’ development. So far this season, he has been sacked 38 times—the most any rookie has faced in their first 10 weeks since David Carr’s 49 sacks with the Texans in 2002.
In recent weeks, Waldron’s performance has been under heavy scrutiny. Following the latest defeat, Eberflus stated that all elements of the team would be re-evaluated.
While the season was supposed to be a turning point for the Bears, it’s been filled with challenging losses, starting with a Hail Mary setback against Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders in Week 8. Once riding a three-game win streak, the Bears now find themselves on a three-game skid with an offense that has nearly vanished.
Waldron’s time with the team has come to an end as the Bears take one last shot at reviving their season and their offense.
