The search for a new offensive coordinator continues for Chicago, and they’ve made it clear what type of offense they wish to see come to fruition in the Windy City. Including their latest request to interview Panthers offensive coordinator Thomas Brown, five of the six candidates the Bears have requested come from either the Sean McVay or Mike Shanahan coaching trees. Rams head coach Sean McVay has produced several talented staff members across the league and the Bears seemingly look to continue that trend with one of these interviewees.
Chicago Bears Offensive Coordinator Search Continues
Thomas Brown, Carolina Panthers Offensive Coordinator
As aforementioned, Thomas Brown is the most recent interview request from Chicago to fill their vacancy at play-caller. Brown is a former player and has a coaching history spanning back to 2012, where he spent time in the FCS, as well as the Big Ten and SEC. With McVay in Los Angeles, Brown held the titles of running backs coach, tight ends coach, and assistant head coach. Brown is currently with the Carolina Panthers but has interviews with not only Chicago for a role as offensive coordinator, but as head coach for the Tennessee Titans, per The Athletic’s Joseph Person.
Panthers offensive coordinator Thomas Brown is meeting with the Bears today about their vacant OC job, per league sources.
Brown also is set to interview this week with the Titans for their head coaching position.— Joe Person (@josephperson) January 17, 2024
Some have speculated that the interview with Brown is scheduled simply to satisfy the parameters of the league’s “Rooney Rule.” It requires teams to interview at least one ethnic minority candidate for senior and coaching position openings. However, Brown should not be dismissed as a potential hire for Chicago due to either the Rooney Rule or his current stint in Carolina. The Bears will do their due diligence, and Brown is a quality candidate deserving of consideration. It would be surprising, though considering their emphasis on play-calling experience this hiring cycle.
Klint Kubiak, San Francisco 49ers Passing Game Coordinator
While not technically a branch from McVay’s, Klint Kubiak comes from the much larger Mike Shanahan coaching tree, so the connection still remains. Kubiak knows the offense that the Bears wish to run, but it’s a matter of whether or not Chicago opts to go with a coordinator that has experience, but only slight success as a play-caller. Kubiak does know how to limit turnovers, as the Vikings ranked 1st in giveaways when he was their offensive coordinator in 2021, per Pro Football Reference. Furthermore, that offense ranked slightly above average when it came to points scored and yards per game.
Kubiak is a strong candidate for Chicago, as he would emphasize utilizing the Bears top weapon D.J. Moore in targeting the middle of the field while also stretching defenses downfield. With two top-ten selections for the Bears who will presumably target offense, Kubiak is an intriguing option.
Shane Waldron, Seattle Seahawks Offensive Coordinator
While Kubiak may be an excellent candidate, Shane Waldron appears to be at the very least the fan favorite in Chicago. Waldron spent four years with Sean McVay in Los Angeles in different roles, so he knows the system well. However, Waldron deviates from McVay in the sense that he employs 13 personnel in his offense far more often than his mentor. Waldron would get to work with tight end Cole Kmet and possibly a rookie tight end or free agent addition if the Bears let Robert Tonyan walk in free agency.
If hired, Bears fans can expect a reduction in screen plays (not entirely) and an offense that likes to pass on early downs. Waldron could be a great fit for Justin Fields or a rookie quarterback looking to establish himself. The Bears may need to move quickly if Waldron is their guy, as the New Orleans Saints have also requested to interview the Seahawks offensive coordinator.
The #Saints requested permission to interview #Seahawks OC Shane Waldron for their vacant OC job, source said. That’s three candidates thus far.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 17, 2024
Lesser Known Requested Candidates
- Kentucky Offensive Coordinator Liam Coen
- Seahawks Quarterbacks Coach Greg Olson
Admittedly, these two candidates are coaches that most fans likely are not as familiar with compared to the others in this pool.
Kentucky’s Liam Coen spent time with Rams head coach Sean McVay during two different stints as an assistant coach (2018-2020) and offensive coordinator (2022.) Coen left for the University of Kentucky both times as the team’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach and is currently in that role.
Seattle quarterbacks coach Greg Olson has coaching experience dating back to 1987 with Washington State as a graduate assistant, per Pro Football Reference. Additionally, Olson has spent time at the D-2 collegiate level, FCS, FBS, and professional level, spanning nine teams including the Chicago Bears. Olson has extensive play-calling experience, but in his career, his offenses have finished top ten in points scored only twice.
Out of the two, Olson is likely a safer option due to his play-calling experience.
As the NFL postseason continues, more candidates will become available for Chicago to potentially consider. For now, Sean McVay and Mike Shanahan seem to be influencing the path the Bears wish to take offensively.
Main Photo: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
