It was a brutal stretch for former Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. After two seasons with the Seahawks, Waldron was allowed to interview elsewhere following the departure of head coach Pete Carroll. It’s a polite way of saying “You’re not coming back next year.” This is for good reason, I would add, as Waldron’s offense in Seattle lacked identity, cohesion, or the ability to make significant adjustments.

This summer Waldron left the Emerald City for the Windy City, and unfortunately the change of scenery wasn’t any better for him. It was announced Tuesday morning that the Chicago Bears fired Waldron following a disastrous 19-3 home loss to the New England Patriots.

The Bears officially announced that offensive coordinator Shane Waldron has been fired and offensive passing game coordinator Thomas Brown has been promoted to offensive coordinator.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) 12 November 2024

Despite having Caleb Williams, the No. 1 quarterback in the 2024 NFL draft, and another top receiver from college last year in Roma Odunze, Chicago once again faces an anemic bottom-end offense. The Bears have now gone 23 straight possessions without scoring and are on a three-game losing streak. They are back to last place in the NFC North, where they finished the previous two seasons.

The writing was on the wall regarding Waldron’s chances in Chicago. Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba He didn’t give much positive support to his former OC. when asked about him this offseason. In hindsight, JSN’s silence was as loud as a warning he could have given.

Of course, while Waldron’s departure from Chicago is probably warranted, it’s hard to say he isn’t something of a sacrificial lamb. Two things may be true. Firing an offensive coordinator is a classic move a head coach, possibly with his head on the proverbial chopping block, could make to prolong his own employment status. Matt Eberflus is in his third season as Chicago’s best man and things aren’t looking good. He has a 14-29 record and despite starting his Bears tenure with the last-place back-to-back, he was inexplicably allowed to return for the 2024 season.

Maybe moving from Waldron to Thomas Brown could help give Chicago’s offense the spark it needs. Otherwise, Eberflus will likely update his resume like his former offensive coordinator.