NEWSLETTER
UPDATE (1-30): The Chicago Bears are reportedly hiring Thomas Brown as their new passing game coordinator. Our original post follows.
The Chicago Bears list of known offensive coordinator candidates continued to grow this week when they reportedly requested to interview Panthers offensive coordinator Thomas Brown.
Getting to Know Bears Offensive Coordinator Candidates: Shane Waldron | Klint Kubiak | Liam Coen | Greg Olson | Greg Roman
Who is Thomas Brown?
Brown is a former NFL player turned coach. He was part of the Rams’ offense that won the Super Bowl LVI in 2021. Before joining the Rams, Brown coached at various universities, including the University of South Carolina, Miami Hurricanes, and the University of Georgia.
He coached running backs such as Sony Michel, Nick Chubb, Melvin Gordon, Mark Walton, and Travis Homer. Brown’s teams consistently had successful rushing attacks, ranking among the top rushing offenses in the league.
During his playing career, Brown was selected in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons and spent the 2009 season with the Cleveland Browns.
Brown joined Frank Reich’s staff in Carolina last offseason and was a highly-regarded Sean McVay disciple.
Relevant Experience
Potential Fit
While Brown is still technically employed by the Panthers, they’ve interviewed mostly offensive-minded head coaches who will likely assume play-calling duties or want to bring in their offensive coordinator, leaving Brown the odd man out in Carolina.
The net that the Bears have cast has become pretty wide. Brown was a surprising hire for Carolina last year, but the Panthers were taking a different approach. With an offensive head coach who planned on calling the plays, Carolina assembled a group of offensive minds that included Brown, Duce Staley, Jim Caldwell, and Josh McCown.
Brown wore the OC title last season, but Reich was never interested in him calling plays. It was a weird mashup from the start, and while Brown was a respected member of the McVay staff, I don’t see him being much of a fit for the Bears.
OTHER KNOWN CANDIDATES: Zac Robinson | Marcus Brady
My Two Cents
I don’t see any chance the Bears seriously consider hiring Brown as their next offensive coordinator. He got a raw deal in Carolina last season and will likely get another job in the league and be able to work toward another OC opportunity. Still, I don’t see him being a coordinator next season.
However, and I’ve said this before, there’s nothing wrong with casting a wide net in this search for several reasons. The more feedback they can get in this process, the better. Plus, they must hire position coaches after landing on an OC. Brown is a part of the McVay tree and has an extensive history of working with running backs and tight ends.
Brown would be an excellent hire in that capacity, especially if the Bears end up hiring someone who he’s worked with in the past.
