The Chicago Bears could have a completely new identity next season, with the future of their quarterback position very much in the air. However, one thing is sure: They will have a new offensive coordinator next fall. The Bears fired former play-caller Luke Getsy last week, opening the door for the franchise to interview new candidates to pair with either current quarterback Justin Fields or potential first-overall pick Caleb Williams. Per Joe Person of The Athletic, Chicago interviewed Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Thomas Brown on Wednesday.
Panthers offensive coordinator Thomas Brown is meeting with the Bears today about their vacant OC job, per league sources.
Brown also is set to interview this week with the Titans for their head coaching position.— Joe Person (@josephperson) January 17, 2024
The Bears must also find a replacement for four assistant coaches on the offensive end. Chicago fired quarterback coach Andrew Janocko, runningback coach Omar Young, wide receiver coach Tyke Tolbert, and assistant tight ends coach Tim Zetts.
Thomas Brown: Super Bowl Winning Coach
Brown played running back with the Georgia Bulldogs from 2004 to 2007. He had a short stint in the NFL before shifting to coaching in 2011, returning to Georgia as the strength and conditioning coach. After one season, the Georgia native transitioned to Chattanooga as the running backs coach. He had one-year stints under the same job title with Marshall, Wisconsin, and Georgia before landing his first offensive coordinator position with the Miami Hurricanes in 2016. He spent three years with the Hurricanes, scoring 34.3 points per game during his inaugural season.
The longtime running backs coach worked with college stars Melvin Gordon, Nick Chubb, and Sony Michel before moving to the NFL, joining Sean McVay with the Los Angeles Rams for the 2021 campaign. Brown won Super Bowl LVI with the NFC West club. The 37-year-old returned to offensive coordinator duties in 2023, joining the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers, alongside rookie first-overall pick Bryce Young, struggled mightily, finishing the season scoring 13.9 points per game, the second-worst mark in the NFL. The Panthers finished dead last in net yards per pass attempt and passing yards.
Chicago Bears: Quarterback Questions Looming
Regardless of the team’s decision on an offensive coordinator, the Chicago Bears still need to decide on their quarterback for next season. Chicago owns the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, with generational prospect Caleb Williams projected to be the first quarterback off the board. Chicago could opt to trade current quarterback Justin Fields in favor of Williams. Fields, the 11th overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft, has thrown just 40 touchdowns against 30 picks in three seasons with the Bears. Meanwhile, Williams won the Heisman Trophy Award two seasons ago with the USC Trojans.
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