The Chicago Bears were a dysfunctional franchise in 2024, and quite frankly have been that way for quite sometime. However, the selection of Caleb Williams and trade of Justin Fields was supposed to start a new era of success in the Windy City. Unfortunately for the Bears, it was the complete opposite. Chicago went 5-12, and the coaching staff was put under fire, which led to another new staff coming in.
That said, the former staff feels like it hasn’t had its side of the story told, which is where a new three-part series from Tyler Dunne of Go Long comes in. He spoke with several former members of the staff who highlighted what they had to go through, specifically when it came to coaching Caleb Williams. One of the worst moments of the season took place during a TV timeout.
“…Interim head coach Thomas Brown tried to explain something to his starting quarterback and… no,” Dunne writes. “Williams was not having it. An auto-response kicked in. As he had done many times to many coaches all season, Williams turned his head and walked away. Shane Waldron, before getting fired as offensive coordinator, used to stay quiet. Not Brown. Not a stern, blunt, old-school coach who believed this 22-year-old crossed a line of disrespect. The typically calm coach lost it. On the headset, another Bears assistant coach recalls Brown pressing the mic to finish his conversation: ‘Get your ass back here right now! Don’t f—ing walk away when I’m talking to you!’ Unfazed, Williams sashayed away. Right back to the huddle. The Bears lost, 6-3.”
Winning and having success can cure a lot of behind the scenes noise. If Chicago wins games in 2025 and makes a push for the postseason while Williams makes clear strides as a player, the Bears will be able to put this behind them. For now, though, all eyes are on No. 18.
You can find the first two parts of the three-part series right now on Go Long.
Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
Be sure to bookmark NFL on The Sporting News for all the latest news, interviews, breakdowns, and more!
