CHICAGO – Shane Waldron has been fired as the Chicago Bears’ offensive coordinator, less than 10 months after he was hired for the job.

The Bears announced the firing Tuesday, a day after head coach Matt Eberflus promised “changes” and “adjustments” for the struggling Bears. Passing game coordinator Thomas Brown has been promoted to offensive coordinator.

“After evaluating our entire operation, I determined that it is in the best interest of our team to lead our offense in a different direction,” Eberflus said in a team statement. “This decision was well thought out, one that was made purposefully and respectfully. I would like to thank Shane for his efforts and wish him the best for the future.”

The Bears haven’t changed offensive coordinators midseason since Perry Moss became Chicago’s first designated OC in 1970.

Waldron came under heavy scrutiny in Chicago due to the offense’s overall performance and rookie quarterback Caleb Williams’ recent struggles.

The Bears (4-5) have lost three straight games, scored just 27 total points over that stretch, and are averaging just 277.6 yards per game this season, third-lowest in the NFL.

Waldron, 45, was hired by the Bears on Jan. 23 after spending the previous three seasons as the offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks. He replaced Luke Getsy, who was fired after two seasons in Chicago but went on to become the offensive coordinator for the Las Vegas Raiders but was fired earlier this month.

Eberflus said during the hiring process last winter that the Bears were looking for a “great teacher” at the offensive coordinator post, likely anticipating using the first overall draft pick on a quarterback.

Despite overhauling the majority of their offensive coaching staff and deploying significant draft capital and free agency to upgrade the talent on offense, including using the No. 1 pick on Williams, Chicago has underperformed through ten weeks of the season .

The Bears rank near the bottom of the NFL in points scored (24th), yards per carry (28th), yards per pass (30th), total yards (30th), third downs (31st) and yards per play ( 31st).

In Sunday’s home loss to the New England Patriots, Williams completed 16 of his 30 passing attempts for 120 yards, his lowest passing output since throwing for 93 yards in his NFL debut against the Tennessee Titans. Collectively, Chicago’s offense was 1-of-14 on third down (7%), its worst mark since 2012.

Williams has also been sacked nine times by the Patriots, bringing his total from the past three games to 18. During Chicago’s recent losing streak, Williams has recorded the highest pressure percentage of his three games of his career.

Brown is one season removed from serving as the offensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers, which coincided with Bryce Young’s rookie season in 2023. Brown spent three seasons with the Los Angeles Rams coaching running backs and tight ends and served from 2021 to 2022 also the team’s assistant head coach.

Brown also has play-calling experience at the collegiate level as an offensive coordinator and running backs coach for Miami from 2016 to 2018.

“Thomas is a smart offensive mind who has experience playing games with a collaborative mentality. I look forward to his leadership of our offensive coaching staff and his plan for our players,” said Eberflus.