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Former Panthers Coach Gets Promotion After Latest Firing

Thomas Brown suddenly has a major opportunity after struggling as Carolina's offensive coordinator in 2023.

By Joe Summers

Nov 10, 2024; Munich, Germany; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) carries the ball on a 24-yard run against the Carolina Panthers n the second half during the 2024 NFL Munich Game at Allianz Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Nov 10, 2024; Munich, Germany; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) carries the ball on a 24-yard run against the Carolina Panthers n the second half during the 2024 NFL Munich Game at Allianz Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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Former Panthers offensive coordinator Thomas Brown earned a promotion on Tuesday to start Week 11, getting handed the Bears' play-calling duties after the firing of offensive coordinator Shane Waldron.

Brown served as Carolina's offensive coordinator in 2023, periodically calling plays during the miserable 2-15 finish. He comes from Sean McVay's tree with the Rams and spent three years in the NFL, so he has plenty of experience in locker rooms.

He'll now be tasked with overhauling one of the league's worst offenses in a desperate attempt to salvage a once-promising season.

Former Panthers OC Thomas Brown Gets Promotion With Bears

Brown's work with the Panthers left much to be desired, though it's hard to know how much of the offense's struggles were his fault or if Bryce Young and the offensive line should shoulder the blame.

Even if Brown's schemes are ineffective, it's almost impossible for the Bears to get worse offensively. They managed just 142 yards and three points against the lowly Patriots in Week 10, so Brown needs a mere two field goals to be an improvement.

He certainly has more talent than he did in Carolina. Caleb Williams, D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze, and D'Andre Swift is a deadly group on paper. Chicago's offensive line is a mess, so Brown will be tasked with crafting quick, easy throws and an effective running game to take the pressure off Williams.

If he succeeds, Brown could keep the job moving forward. It's likely that head coach Matt Eberflus and most of his staff will be fired, though this is a legitimate audition for Brown. The Bears face the Packers in Week 11 and Vikings in Week 12, so Brown is being thrown to the wolves and only has a few days to implement his system.

How Williams and the offense performs will go a long way in showing Panthers fans whether the problems in 2023 stemmed from the coaching staff or merely a lack of talent. Either way, it's an exciting opportunity for Brown to earn a full-time offensive coordinator job in 2025.

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