Scary Hours: Bears’ Thomas Brown and Black Coordinators Fight to Salvage Season
Disappointment and Uncertainty Loom Large
In the aftermath of Bears coach Matt Eberflus’s firing, interim Thomas Brown said all the right things regarding changes being made, accountability and the maturation process for the team’s rookie quarterback, Caleb Williams.
New Era, Same Expectations
After all, Brown, earlier this year, the Bears hired him to be the team’s passing game coordinator. Since then, after the firings of offensive coordinator Shane Waldron and Eberflus, Brown was promoted from offensive coordinator to the interim head coach in the span of a few weeks.
“My goal has always been the same from Day 1 as far as being in a leadership position,” Brown told a team reporter. “… I told them a minute ago after practice there is no confidence loss at all as far as what I think about them. I don’t care what anybody else thinks about them. I think we have a very talented football team. It’s about just putting the work in every single day to give us an opportunity to win.”
Historically, Black Coaches Face Unique Challenges
Due to the coaching changes, the Bears now have Black men helming the offensive coordinator (Chris Beatty) and the defensive coordinator (Eric Washington) — the two high-profile coaching jobs after the head coach.
Once reporters pointed out the fact that Black coaches are often thrust into untenable situations where they’re expected to make a dollar out of 15 cents. In some cases, they do just that and rarely reap the rewards when turning a team around.
Look no further than former NFL head coach Steve Wilks, who was given only one season to turn around the Arizona Cardinals before being jettisoned.
Finding Stability Amidst Instability
Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson, one of the team’s best players and a respected veteran, has been one of the main voices when describing the Bears’ disappointing season.
In the aftermath of Sunday’s game, Johnson succinctly sums up what the team has been going through along with the fanbase’s thoughts as a promising season continues to deteriorate.
“We’re just really trying to establish culture within the building. That’s something that doesn’t change no matter who comes in – coaches, players, whatever it may be,” he told 670 The Score. “We’re in a sticky situation as far as trying to figure out ways to get on track considering change is coming, change has been happening for weeks now, months. So I mean, it’s not an easy situation. I feel like it’s one of those things where people ask, ‘Is it effort? Is it this? Is it coaching?’ This game is not something you can put a finger on until it’s already too late.”
Stability Eludes the Bears
The team tries to stop their current losing streak, but the most talked about Bear outside of Williams, needs to get right.
Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson hasn’t been the same player since the Hail Mary debacle versus the Commanders. Previously, Stevenson played with an edge that his teammates fed off of. The Hail Mary fallout continues to have an adverse effect on his game. His game is predicated on aggression — commonly-known as “s–t starting.” Since the “Fail Mary,” we’ve seen less and less of it.
Conclusion
Despite everything going on with the Bears, let’s face it, everyone — fans, players, local media — thought the team was on the cusp of greatness. Free agent signings, draft picks, and an already solid defense had us all believe that the Bears were somewhat better than the 2023 version.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the situation like for the Bears following the firing of Matt Eberflus?
A: Interim head coach Thomas Brown is leading the team and has said all the right things regarding changes being made, accountability, and the maturation process for quarterback Caleb Williams.
Q: Are the coaching changes affecting the team’s performance?
A: The team is currently going through a tough stretch, and the coaching changes are a significant part of that.
Q: What is the biggest challenge facing the team at this point?
A: Establishing a culture within the building and figuring out ways to get on track amidst constant change.
