Bears’ Thomas Brown Seeks to Redefine Interim Success

Life comes at you fast. Thomas Brown went from the Chicago Bears passing game coordinator to offensive coordinator to interim head coach in just two and a half weeks. The move was much needed, as Matt Eberflus failed the Bears organization. With great power comes great responsibility, and for Brown, he’ll be tasked with saving the Bears.

Bears’ Thomas Brown Seeks to Redefine Interim Success

Forming a Special Connection with Caleb Williams

Since taking over play-calling duties, Thomas Brown has put Caleb Williams back on the right track. In his last three games with Brown calling the shots, Williams has averaged 275.7 yards per game, thrown five touchdowns with zero interceptions, and posted a 99.2 passer rating—all against NFC North rivals. Not an exaggeration, but here’s the type of trajectory Williams is on pace for with Brown as the play caller:

• 4,692 yards
• 28 passing TDs
• 0 INTs
• 64.1 completion %
• 805 rushing yards

Obviously, he won’t end up with those numbers since Shane Waldron was his play-caller for the first nine games, but remember, this wasn’t against weak competition. Brown is transforming Williams from a potential bust into a budding superstar in record time.

Rams Head Coach Sean McVay on new Interim Head Coach Thomas Brown

What sets Brown apart is his commanding presence and leadership. He’s brought a level of authority that the Bears organization has lacked for years. Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay worked with Brown in Los Angeles and offered high praise for his former colleague:

“He’s done a great job, obviously. I think guys will follow his lead. I know that he’s always been a guy that’s had an incredible command. He kind of demands respect from people that he’s around just by the way that he carries himself.”

McVay and Brown first crossed paths as high school football rivals in Georgia, and the mutual respect has only grown since:

“There are just certain people when you watch, you’re like, man, ‘they’re a little different in terms of competitiveness, the spirit, and the never-say-die attitude.’ And then just his overall presence in general is impressive. I think a good way to articulate it is he commands respect by the way he handles himself and he gives it back. I’ve always thought he was a guy that would be a head coach at some point.” 

As the Bears head toward the offseason, they’ll be in the market for a new head coach. But at what point do they look internally and say, “Maybe we have something here with Thomas Brown.” With five games left to prove his worth, Brown has an opportunity to show the organization, players, and the city of Chicago that he’s the right man for the job.