Thomas Brown has had quite the coaching career so far in the National Football League and the next 7 weeks could be the most important for his future in the league.
Brown, the former Georgia standout at running back, started his coaching career in the NFL in 2020 joining Sean McVay's staff with the Los Angeles Rams. With the Rams, Brown quickly earned the respect of his players and fellow coaches as the team's assistant head coach while coaching the running backs and tight ends for three years.
In 2023, Brown was hired by the Carolina Panthers to be the offensive coordinator under previous head coach Frank Reich. After hiring Brown, McVay praised his former assistant for being "ahead of the curve."
However, with the Panthers, Brown's coaching trajectory took a small step back after being thrown full reigns of the offense mid-season with a rookie quarterback. After the disappointing season, Brown landed with the Chicago Bears as the team's passing game coordinator under Matt Eberflus and Shane Waldron.
Last week, the Bears made the decision to part ways with Waldron and promote Brown as the team's offensive coordinator and primary play-caller following a three-game losing streak.
Back in the big chair calling the offense, Brown's unit saw immediate success despite the loss to the Green Bay Packers in Week 11. After the game, rookie quarterback Caleb Williams praised Brown's play-calling speed and play designs that helped the unit start to find their footing again.
The final seven weeks of the season will be an important stretch not only for the Bears but for Brown to continue building his name up the list for potential head coach opportunities. On Wednesday, NFL Media's Tom Pelissero once again listed Brown on his list of the top 22 head coaching candidates for the upcoming cycle.
"He's energetic, sharp and versatile, possessing big-picture perspective," Pelissero said about Brown. "He's also no stranger to the interview circuit, having spoken with the Dolphins, Texans and Titans about their head-coaching jobs over the past three Januarys, respectively."
A strong showing over the next few weeks will certainly put Brown on the radar of clubs who have (or will have) openings at head coach going into next year. Which could include the team he's currently coaching with if the Bears part ways with Eberflus.
Week 11 was a great start, despite the final result, and a lot of eyes will be eager to see how Brown's offense and leadership looks going forward.
