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What does Thomas Brown need to show to win the head coaching job after the season?
Is it as simple as the continued development of Caleb Williams and the offense? Does Brown need to prove he won’t let the defense fall apart after the departure of Matt Eberflus? Or is there a benchmark for wins?
Say Brown wins three of the final five games with two coming against the Vikings and Packers – would that earn your support?
Brown deserves a fair shot despite being the passing game coordinator just 18 days ago. The offense has looked competent in his three weeks as playcaller, scoring eight touchdowns in that stretch. To compare, Shane Waldron’s playcalling resulted in two scores over the final three weeks of his tenure in Chicago.
Is it possible we’re holding Brown to lower standards than we should simply because of how rough things got before Eberflus was fired the morning after Thanksgiving?
Any coaching search held by Ryan Poles and Kevin Warren should cast a wide net. After all, it’s the most important hire in Bears history. But it’s possible the organization has had the right guy in the building since January. Or maybe the immediate infatuation dwindles over the next five games.
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34 days. That’s how long Brown has to prove to Poles, Warren and Chicago that he’s the man for the job.
🏈 ROUNDTABLE | Why Brown was the right pick for interim, plus, other candidates for head coach in Chicago
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— Patrick Norton
The Best of Thomas Brown
We’ve had three weeks with Brown as OC. That means three press conferences. Beginning today, the interim head coach will be in front of the microphone three times a week at Halas Hall and again after games.
With the Bears likely on the hunt for another “leader-of-men” type with their next head coaching hire, here’s what I’ve loved from Brown in his first three pressers since replacing ex-coordinator Shane Waldron.
Whether you want a “leader of men” or an advanced offensive mind, Brown brings both aspects to the table.
WeDnesday, November 13 | Brown’s first press conference as OC
Q: Was Brown reluctant to make the leap from passing game coordinator to offensive coordinator midseason?
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“Reluctance, no. It’s my job, it’s what I’m asked to do. I’m excited about the opportunity. Unfortunate about the circumstances as far as Shane being fired. The scenarios between Carolina and here, I don’t correlate at all. I have done it before and like I said, I’m kind of excited to be able to collaborate with our staff and our players to get it fixed and get going in the right direction.”
Q: Is substantial improvement realistic when taking over an offense already through ten weeks of the season?
“I put no limitations on our success at all. The goal is to not focus as much on being perfect but chasing excellence every single day. That’s our goal, our focus to prepare the right way to go play in the game the right way.”
Thursday, November 21 | Brown’s Second Press Conference as OC
Brown’s opening remarks on Thursday after 20-19 loss to Packers:
“I’ll start with this, it’s what I told the offense on Monday, there are no ‘atta
boys’ in this game. We play the game to win, and we came up short.”
Q: What’s the give-and-take between what Caleb Williams is comfortable with vs. what Brown is comfortable with as a playcaller?
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“It doesn’t matter what I’m comfortable with. I don’t play. I can always adapt and adjust. To me, it’s my job to adapt and adjust to our players and what those guys do well. Whether it’s Caleb, our line, our receivers, our tight ends, our backs. It’s our job to design a plan – obviously to attack the defense – but also favor what we do well.”
Tuesday, November 26 | Brown’s third and most recent press conference
Q: Was Caleb Williams able to play ‘without fear’ vs. Vikings like Brown had challenged him to do earlier in the week?
“It was very obvious; he had no fear at all. Which is the way we want to be able to have him play. I think being aggressive and taking calculated risks. Aggressive is not being reckless – those are two different things – not putting the ball in jeopardy, he’s done a really good job of taking care of the football. Obviously making some tight window throws which is why you get drafted number one overall, to make those big plays. When it comes to end of the game, end of the half, he’s delivered in a big way. Which I think sometimes goes unnoticed because of the result – which I get.
“That’s a rookie quarterback who, in my opinion, has not even scratched the surface of how good he can be. It’s my job, my focus to continue to find ways to make him the best he can be, hold him accountable – but also the entire group, it’s not just about him. It’s not a one-man show – myself as a coach or him as a quarterback.”
🔎 GO DEEPER | Nicholas Moreano on Thomas Brown’s ability to develop Caleb Williams’ vertical passing attack and why it’s working for the Bears.
CHGO Bears Postgame…
🎧 SPOTIFY | APPLE PODCASTS | MATT EBERFLUS FIRED! Chicago Bears make head coaching change
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