Thomas Brown will be joining the Bears as the pass game coordinator, adding another member to their already impressive offensive group, an insider told NBC Sports Chicago. First to report the news was the Chicago Tribune.
The previous season, Brown (37), served as the offensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers. Prior to that, Brown played for the Los Angeles Rams for three seasons as a member of Sean McVay’s staff. He joined the Rams in 2020 as the running backs coach, then in 2021 he was promoted to associate head coach. He kept his assistant head coach title while moving from running backs coach to tight ends coach.
During the 2020 season in Los Angeles, Brown collaborated with Shane Waldron, the new offensive coordinator for the Bears, when Waldron was the pass game coordinator for the Rams.
Before selecting Waldron, the Bears interviewed Brown for the post of offensive coordinator.
This cycle, Brown conducted interviews for head coaching positions with the Tennessee Titans and the Panthers.
Under Brown and head coach Frank Reich, the Panthers’ offense faltered in the previous campaign, placing 32nd in overall offense, 32nd in passing, and 20th in running.
During his one and only season at Carolina, Brown was dealt a harsh hand. The Panthers had the poorest skill group in the NFL, rookie quarterback Bryce Young labored all game, and their offensive line was unable to keep Young clean.
Moreover, Brown did not serve as the Panthers’ play-caller to begin the season. After the Panthers’ 0–6 start, Reich gave Brown the playcalling reins for the next six games. After the Panthers’ Week 10 loss to the Bears at Soldier Field, Reich returned to his previous position less than a month later. Two weeks later, Reich was fired as head coach, and Brown took over as play-caller.
Brown was chosen as the NFLPA poll’s No. 2 offensive coordinator despite the Panthers’ offensive shortcomings, demonstrating his capacity for leadership, instruction, and communication.
Brown, a young coach with a lot of reputation in the NFL, joins a restructured offensive staff that also includes new wide receivers coach Chris Beatty and quarterbacks coach Kerry Joseph. After a mixed 7-10 season, the only two offensive staff members kept their positions were tight ends coach Jim Dray and offensive line coach Chris Morgan.
On paper, the offensive line of the Bears appears formidable. They have brought in well-known educators and Waldron, a premier play-caller, who will now be crucial in the next quarterback decision.