The Chicago Bears are in a downward spiral, and the repercussions have already begun to spread to the coaching staff.
Following their 19-3 loss to the lowly New England Patriots on Sunday, the second-straight game in which the Bears failed to score an offensive touchdown, head coach Matt Eberflus vowed that there would be changes.
It didn't take a genius to know what that meant.
On Tuesday, the Bears announced the firing of first-year offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, who joined Chicago from the Seattle Seahawks in January. Passing game coordinator Thomas Brown was promoted to the OC position.
"After evaluating our entire operation, I decided that it is in the best interest of our team to move in a different direction with the leadership of our offense," Eberflus said in a statement. "This decision was well-thought-out, one that was conducted deliberately and respectfully. I would like to thank Shane for his efforts and wish him the best moving forward."
The Bears' offense ranks 30th in yards per game and 24th in points per game, while first-overall pick Caleb Williams has taken the most sacks in the NFL with 38. Now 4-5 and riding a three-game losing streak, the Bears were due for a change.
With Waldron canned, attention will quickly shift to Eberflus, who has received a lion's share of the criticism for the Bears' recent losing streak. Eberflus was also clowned on social media after being on the receiving end of a zinger from ESPN David Kaplan 1000 radio host on Monday.
"Coach, your cellphone is as bad as the offense right now," said as Eberflus' phone cut out for the third time during his weekly radio interview (quote via The Athletic).
Eberflus is 14-29 as an NFL head coach, and that record doesn't usually cut it at the game's highest level. He's had three years to figure things out and got to draft his franchise quarterback, and if he can't fix things by the end of the year, there will be plenty of hotshot assistants lining up for a chance to coach Williams instead.
Tuesday was a dark day for the Bears, but darker days lie ahead if Chicago can't start winning again.