The Chicago Bears are shaking things up on the offensive side, hoping a fresh face can jumpstart an offense that’s hit a slump. Head coach Matt Eberflus recently made a bold move, firing offensive coordinator Shane Waldron following a series of underwhelming performances, including a tough 19-3 loss to the New England Patriots. Stepping up to the plate is Thomas Brown, a promising coach and former player who’s had his name floated in NFL head coaching circles. But who is Thomas Brown, and what can he bring to Chicago’s offense? Let’s take a closer look at his journey from the backfield to the Bears’ play-calling helm.
From SEC Standout To NFL Running Back
If you’re a fan of SEC football, Thomas Brown might be a familiar name. He made a name for himself in the early 2000s as a running back at the University of Georgia. Over four seasons with the Bulldogs, Brown racked up 2,646 rushing yards and scored 23 touchdowns in 40 games. He hit the ground running as a freshman in 2004, putting up an impressive 875 yards and eight touchdowns, earning him Freshman All-SEC honors. Known for his physicality and field vision, Brown was a key part of Georgia’s backfield and left his mark as a dependable rusher in the SEC.
After college, Brown was picked up by the Atlanta Falcons in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL Draft. Unfortunately, his rookie season was cut short when he suffered a preseason injury. Brown had a brief stint with the Cleveland Browns but soon began considering life after playing. And that’s where his coaching journey began.
Building A Coaching Career
Thomas Brown’s coaching journey started at the college level, and he quickly worked his way up. He coached running backs at several universities, including Chattanooga, Marshall, Wisconsin, Georgia, Miami (where he also held the offensive coordinator role), and South Carolina. Brown’s reputation grew because of his work ethic and ability to connect with players. When the NFL came calling in 2020, he was ready.
In his first NFL coaching role, Brown joined the Los Angeles Rams as their running backs coach. Just a season later, head coach Sean McVay promoted him to assistant head coach, showing just how much confidence McVay had in Brown’s leadership. In 2022, Brown helped the Rams secure a victory in Super Bowl LVI, where his work with the running backs proved invaluable. By his final season with the Rams, Brown had transitioned to coaching tight ends.
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Offensive Coordinator And Head Coach Contender
In 2023, Brown became one of the hottest names in coaching circles. Several franchises had him on their radar, and he even interviewed for the head coaching position with the Houston Texans. Ultimately, Houston chose DeMeco Ryans, but Brown’s strong reputation continued to open doors.
Instead, Brown joined the Carolina Panthers as their offensive coordinator under head coach Frank Reich. When the Panthers started 0-6, Reich handed Brown the play-calling duties to try and spark the offense. Brown delivered, winning his first game as a play-caller by leading rookie quarterback Bryce Young and the Panthers to a 15-13 victory over C.J. Stroud’s Texans. However, just a few weeks later, Reich took back play-calling duties, and the Panthers continued to struggle, eventually leading to Reich’s dismissal after a 1-10 record.
While the Panthers’ season was far from smooth, Brown still made waves in the NFL. In fact, an NFLPA survey ranked him as the No. 2 offensive coordinator in the league. He clearly had the respect of players and coaches alike, despite the Panthers’ tough season. Brown was soon fielding offers again, and he interviewed for positions with multiple teams, including the Tennessee Titans head coaching role and offensive coordinator jobs with the Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots.
An Opportunity With The Bears
This past offseason, Brown joined Matt Eberflus’ Chicago staff as a passing game coordinator. Now, with Shane Waldron out as offensive coordinator, Brown has the chance to lead the Bears’ offense, which features promising young quarterback Caleb Williams and an array of weapons like wide receivers Keenan Allen, DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, and running back D’Andre Swift. Brown’s appointment couldn’t come at a better time for a team that struggled mightily in recent games, converting only one of 14 third-down attempts and generating just 142 total yards against New England.
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