Grading the Bears’ decision to name Thomas Brown interim head coach

Chicago Bears fans had their prayers answered Friday afternoon when the team announced they’ve terminated Matt Eberflus as head coach. There was concern within the fan base that Eberflus would live to coach another week after conducting his Friday morning press conference, but it appears that decision was more about logistics than actual job stability for the embattled “Flus.

Bears part ways with head coach Matt Eberflus. (via @RapSheet, @TomPelissero) pic.twitter.com/I1p1ZVo9Fr

— NFL (@NFL) November 29, 2024

The Bears wasted no time naming offensive coordinator Thomas Brown as the interim head coach, which now concludes a remarkable 17-day stretch that saw Brown elevate from passing game coordinator to head coach.

Brown was an obvious choice for GM Ryan Poles and the Bears. He’s unlocked quarterback Caleb Williams and the rest of the Bears” offense and has a certain swagger about him that’s been missing from the coaching staff during the Eberflus era.

Caleb Williams 17 game pace with OC Thomas Brown:

4,687 – Passing yards
28 – Passing TDs
0 – Interceptions
800 – Rushing yards
99% – Quarterback rating pic.twitter.com/iGv3UNqeym

— NFL Notifications (@NFLNotify) November 29, 2024

Brown’s resume before joining the Bears as the passing game coordinator was impressive. His NFL career started under Sean McVay as the Los Angeles Rams running backs coach in 2020. He was quickly promoted to assistant head coach in 2021 and served in that capacity for two years (and a Super Bowl win) before becoming the offensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers in 2023.

Thomas Brown has outcoached Matt Eberflus in back-to-back weeks. Time to make the change. Give Brown a trial run.

— Bryan Perez (@BryanPerezNFL) November 24, 2024

Now, with five games left in the 2024 season, Brown could be the next official head coach of the Chicago Bears in just a few weeks. You can bet that Caleb Williams will have a strong voice in whoever the Bears decide to replace Eberflus on a full-time basis, which should give Brown a massive leg up on the competition.

READ: Instant reaction to Bears firing Matt Eberflus

I’m a big fan of Thomas Brown’s coaching style, the results he’s producing on the field, and the ability to get an extended look at him as the Chicago Bears head coach. This is the best move the front office has made in quite some time, and I have a hunch it will pay dividends for years to come.

GRADE: A+