Why Do I Like the Chicago Bears This Week?
I.
Always.
Like.
THE.
Chicago.
Bears.
Two Months of Thomas Brown
The Bears are 4-6. Their season is effectively over, barring a miraculous run through the most difficult part of their schedule. Their head coach is most likely going to be fired at the end of the season. So, it’s not in the best interest of my time to write expansive game previews of games that carry little material value, and it’s not in your best interest to be subjected to those useless paragraphs. (I’ll use some Lumet in tomorrow’s prediction column.)
What is at stake over these final few months of the 2024 season? I would argue one thing: Thomas Brown’s future with the Chicago Bears. Do I think Brown could potentially be the head coach of the Bears? No, I don’t think so. I would not 100% rule it out, but it seems an unlikely development. Do I think Brown turning this offense around down the stretch could provide Ryan Poles some flexibility when looking for the next head coach? Yea, I do. Think about it. While everybody is pining for the next offensive mind, a successful run here from Brown could allow Poles to sit down with the likes of Bill Belichick, Mike Vrabel and Brian Flores, proven entities that will provide the leadership this organization requires. Brown would not be forced on these coaches, by any means, but why would any of those three want to makes an offensive coordinator change if they can walk into continuity on the side of the ball that is not their expertise?
We know the quarterback is the guy. We know the head coach is not the guy. But this offensive coordinator is only 38 years old. He has a lot to prove, and his work for the remainder of the seasons makes these games inherently interesting. If Brown can display a rapport with Caleb Williams, and earn his trust, the Bears could be in a position to upgrade the sideline in 2025 without having to uproot the offensive system in year two for the quarterback.
Tomorrow: Prediction.